Photo:Dominik Bindl/Getty
Dominik Bindl/Getty
Dylan Mulvaneyis seemingly addressing Bud Light for the first time publicly.
On Thursday, the actor and social media influencer, who is transgender, posted aTikTokvideo calling out Anheuser-Busch, Bud Light’s parent company, for not reaching out to her amid harmful transphobic rhetoric that followed their partnership. Mulvaney did not directly use the company’s name.
Mulvaney first posted a short clip with the beer brand this spring. Shortly after,it sparked hateful commentaryamong conservative social media personalities,politiciansand celebrities, many of whom used transphobic rhetoric to attack Bud Light forturning to “woke” advertising. Some customers also boycotted the company’s beers.
Mulvaney, who has over 10.6 million followers on TikTok, hasn’t provided more background on the controversy until now. In a video captioned, “Trans people like beer too,” she candidly responded to the backlash.
“One thing I will not tolerate people saying about me is that I don’t like beer, and I always have,” the TikTok creator said at the start of the video.
“I’m bringing it up because what transpired from that video was more bullying and transphobia than I could have ever imagined,” she said. Mulvaney would have made this video sooner but she was scared of more backlash, she said.
Dylan Mulvaney’s Bud Light ad that sparked controversy.Dylan Mulvaney/Instagram
Dylan Mulvaney/Instagram
Mulvaney then revealed that she was waiting for the brand to reach out to her over the past few months, but “they never did.” She listed out the negative effects the subsequent response to the ad have had on her.
“For months now, I’ve been scared to leave my house. I have been ridiculed in public. I’ve been followed. And I have felt a loneliness that I wouldn’t wish on anyone,” she said. “If this is my experience from a very privileged perspective, know that it is much, much worse for other trans people.”
Dylan Mulvaney’s personalized Bud Light can.Dylan Mulvaney/Instagram
She then explained her frustration towards the silent tactic.
“To turn a blind eye and pretend everything is okay — it just isn’t an option right now. And you might say, ‘But Dylan, I don’t want to get political.’ Babe, supporting trans people, it shouldn’t be political. There should be nothing controversial or divisive about working with us,” she added.
Mulvaney ended the video on a positive note, pleading with her followers to support trans people. She said she would love something “productive” to come of this and then provided a link for people to donate to theTransgender Law Center.
Dylan Mulvaney responds to Bud Light controversy.Dylan Mulvaney/ TikTok
Dylan Mulvaney/ TikTok
“I’m going to celebrate the fact that no matter how many thousands of horrible messages or news anchors misgendering me or companies going silent that I can look in the mirror and see the woman that I am and that I love being,” she added.
A spokesperson for Anheuser-Busch tells PEOPLE in a statement that they “remain committed to the programs and partnerships we have forged over decades with organizations across a number of communities, including those in the LGBTQ+ community. The privacy and safety of our employees and our partners is always our top priority. As we move forward, we will focus on what we do best – brewing great beer for everyone and earning our place in moments that matter to our consumers.”
Mulvaney’s video comes after the company’s CEO, Brendan Whitworth, appeared onCBS Morningson Wednesday, and didn’t directly answer the question of if it was a “mistake” to partner with the young activist.
Mulvaney has found supporters in some public figures, though. Earlier this month,Garth BrookstoldBillboardthat he’ll be serving “every brand of beer” at his Friends In Low Places Bar & Honky Tonk in Nashville.
“We just are. It’s not our decision to make. Our thing is this, if you [are let] into this house, love one another,” he said. “If you’re an a–hole, there are plenty of other places on lower Broadway.”
During a press conference the week after his statement — where he announced a new station on his SEVENS Radio Network on TuneIn Radio — Brooks revealed that he’s “always been inclusive,” and that’s not changing forhis new bar.
“I think if you know Garth Brooks, no matter how long you’ve known him, [he’s] always been inclusive. We’re gonna need each other, trust me,” Brooks said, perEntertainment Tonight. “It’s like when we put this team together for The BIG 615 [station]. You’re gonna need all these different talents.”
“So I think that, [with regards to] diversity, inclusiveness, I think what you find is our differences are our greatest strengths,” he said, according to the outlet.
If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
source: people.com
