In recent weeks, companies like Nike and Anheuser-Busch have come under a lot of fire for launching advertisements with Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender woman. After the ads were launched, thousands of videos of people pouring out their Bud Lights and throwing away their Nikes’ emerged on the internet. But I have just one question for those against the ads, why do you care?
With a new age of social media and technology, lots of companies are using abstract forms of advertisement, like influencers. Social media stars, like Dylan Mulvaney, who has over 10 million followers on Tik Tok, might reach a different audience than a typical Bud Light ad. It is simply another marketing strategy. So I ask, what impact does this marketing move have on your day to day life? Is this far-off content creator somehow hurting you in any way? I didn’t think so. Now there is the argument that maybe someone else’s lifestyle doesn’t align with your lifestyle or beliefs. But like I said, Ms. Mulvaney has no effect on your life, so why do you care? It’s so simple to just ignore her and the ads around her, yet certain people continue to build up problems that aren’t real to just push a narrative. These ads aren’t indoctrinating any kids or promoting harmful ideas to anyone, especially since it’s an alcohol company who already doesn’t advertise to children, so if you don’t like them, why not just ignore them? Because an issue that can’t be ignored is the lack of simple representation of trans people. Because an issue that can never be ignored is the disproportionate amounts of trans kids that will commit suicide this year (National Institutes of Health). There are real issues with real consequences, and I strongly believe these companies should be applauded for working towards a better future for trans people.
To anyone who has seen these ads as offensive or detrimental in any way, I highly suggest you take a step back and ask yourself if it really affects your day to day life. Maybe then you can see these ads weren’t made for you, they were made for kids and people who don’t see anyone that looks like them on TV. It was made for all people who care about taking a step forward as a society and embracing our incredible diversity as people.