The Wachowski Sisters to Auction Off Matrix Memorabilia for Trans Youth 

In recent months, trans youth have come under increasing threat due to anti-trans and LGBTQ+ legislation being proposed and laws passed across the U.S. Lilly and Lana Wachowski, the trans filmmakers behind such sci-fi classics as The Matrix series and Cloud Atlas, are auctioning off some of their personal memorabilia collection to benefit at-risk trans children through pop superstar Ariana Grande's Protect & Defend Trans Youth Fund.

On Saturday, Lilly announced via Twitter. "hi youse! So me and Lana have been doing some spring cleaning at our Raiders of the Lost Ark warehouse and have happily decided to pass on some of the best treasures we've been collecting over the years!! No Ark of the Covenants but some pretty major and magical artifacts!" she wrote.

The items in the "Enter the Matrix: The Wachowski Collection," as it's being called, are a film collector's dream. It will contain props, concept art, and collectible merchandise from their various films and television projects including Cloud Atlas, Jupiter Ascending, Sense8, and, of course, The Matrix franchise.

Some of the incredible items up for sale are an original lightning rifle from The Matrix, a Neo-Seoul Police Speeder from Cloud Atlas, and their MTV Movie Awards for Best Director for The Matrix.

The proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Protect & Defend Trans Youth Fund which Grande founded in March on the International Transgender Day of Visibility. Grande shared the news on Instagram, announcing that she had partnered with Pledge to create a new initiative to support the trans community. "Please join me in donating to this fund I've created with @pledge.to to support organizations providing direct services and advocating for the rights of trans youth," she wrote. "Right now there are hundreds of disgraceful bills pending in state legislature that target trans youth and aim to curb their rights. This will provide critical funds to organizations advocating for the rights of trans youth."

Funds raised through the charity are donated evenly to 18 organizations across 12 different states, supporting trans youth and the fight against the attacks on their rights. Grande pledged to match all the funds raised, up to $1.5 million. Beneficiaries include Black Trans Advocacy Coalition, Equality Florida, Transgender Education Network Of Texas, and Zebra Coalition.