In a momentous event on Thursday, renowned transgender TikTok influencer Dylan Mulvaney was honored with the “Woman of the Year” award by the prominent LGBTQ+ publication, “Attitude.”
Well-celebrated for her candid portrayal of her male-to-female transition journey, Mulvaney received the accolade during the 2023 Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards. In her heartfelt acceptance speech, she underscored the persistent challenges she faces, noting that despite identifying as a woman for 560 days, certain factions refuse to acknowledge her identity.
Mulvaney poignantly stated, “Regardless of my efforts, my attire, my words, or the surgical transitions I undertake, I may never align with the stringent standards of womanhood set by some.”
The Rise of a Digital Star
Dylan Mulvaney has been an open book, meticulously documenting her transition journey from the outset. Her TikTok series, “Days of Girlhood,” offers an intimate glimpse into the nuanced experiences and challenges of her transition.
This genuine documentation resonated globally, amassing her an impressive following of 1.8 million on Instagram and a whopping 10.5 million on TikTok. Marking her 365th day of girlhood, Mulvaney showcased a unique live performance in collaboration with the Trevor Project, which was graced by talents like the Tony Award-nominated Morgan Lee.
Facing Controversy Head-On
In April, Bud Light announced a collaborative endeavor with Mulvaney, intending to feature her visage on select cans and endorse some of her content. This move, however, faced backlash, leading to a Bud Light boycott and consequent $400 million sales dip for Anheuser-Busch.
The adverse reactions escalated to an extent where Mulvaney received threats and was subjected to rampant transphobia. This alarming environment compelled her to seek solace outside the U.S.
In her acceptance speech, she touched upon the solace she found in the U.K.: “During my summer sojourn in London, after enduring prolonged periods of isolation, I felt liberated from the burdens I bore in the U.S.,” Mulvaney reflected. “I wasn’t typecast as the ‘trans beer girl,’ and I cherished the U.K. as a sanctuary.”