Trans Influencer Dylan Mulvaney Sparks Backlash Over Bud Light Sponsorship
Dylan Mulvaney, a trans influencer, made two Instagram posts sponsored by Bud Light earlier this year which sparked a firestorm of anti-trans backlash and calls for a boycott.
Mulvaney faced a wave of hate and violent threats and criticized Bud Light for not standing by her and the partnership.
She said the company never reached out to her in the wake of the backlash.
Mulvaney believes that for a company to hire a trans person and then not publicly stand by them is worse than not hiring a trans person at all as it gives customers permission to be as transphobic and hateful as they want.
The controversy over the sponsored posts came as trans rights are under attack, with over 400 anti-LGBTQ+ bills being introduced in state legislatures this year through April 3.
Mulvaney’s statement followed a CEO’s appearance on CBS Mornings where he repeated the company’s recent statements about wanting to focus on brewing great beer for everyone and did not directly answer a question about whether the campaign was a mistake.
Mulvaney said that supporting trans people should not be seen as controversial or divisive and called on companies to work with and support queer influencers.