Transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney says Bud Light didn’t support her during backlash

Dylan Mulvaney, a prominent transgender influencer, expressed disappointment in Bud Light, claiming that the beer company failed to support her amidst a wave of backlash characterized by relentless bullying and transphobia.

Mulvaney disclosed the emotional toll she endured, stating, “For months, I have lived in fear, reluctant to step outside my own home. I have endured public ridicule, persistent harassment, and an overwhelming sense of isolation that no one should ever have to experience.”

The controversy erupted when Mulvaney featured herself opening a Bud Light in an Instagram video on April 1, as part of a promotional contest for the brand. Displaying a can adorned with her own image, which Bud Light had sent to her as one of several corporate gifts she shares with her millions of followers, the influencer unwittingly triggered an onslaught of criticism and hate.

While conservative figures and other individuals called for a boycott of Bud Light, Mulvaney’s supporters directed their ire towards the beer company, claiming that it did not do enough to stand by her during the ordeal.

In the aftermath, two marketing executives within Anheuser-Busch InBev, Bud Light’s parent company, took a leave of absence. Furthermore, Bud Light lost its position as America’s best-selling beer, a distinction it had held for decades. The Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group in the country, suspended its benchmark equality and inclusion rating for the brewing giant.

Mulvaney, refraining from explicitly naming Bud Light, expressed her frustration, stating, “When a company employs a transgender individual but fails to publicly support them, it sends a message that customers are free to engage in as much transphobia and hatred as they please.”

Despite attempts to obtain comment from Belgium-based ABInBev, the company did not immediately respond to email inquiries.

In an official statement released on April 14, Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth expressed that the company had never intended to contribute to a divisive discourse, emphasizing their commitment to bringing people together through the enjoyment of beer.

Similar controversies have arisen recently, affecting companies such as Target and Starbucks, as they faced criticism for their attempts to connect with the LGBTQ+ community, particularly during Pride celebrations in June. These companies encountered further backlash when their subsequent actions were perceived as backpedaling.

This ongoing dispute emerges within a wider and heated debate concerning the rights of transgender individuals. Notably, since the beginning of this year, at least 17 states have implemented laws limiting or prohibiting gender-affirming care for minors.

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• Bud Light faces backlash over transgender influencer partnership
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• Starbucks Pride initiatives
• Debate over transgender rights