Life

CNN releases an on-air apology after misgendering trans TikTok star Dylan Mulvaney

By Jordan Robledo

16th July 2023

CNN has apologised for misgendering trans TikTok influencer Dylan Mulvaney. 

On 11 July, CNN News Central aired a segment about Bud Light and its ailing stock prices, which apparently were down 28% at the time of the report. 

Over the last few months, the company has faced backlash from right-winged individuals due to their partnership with Mulvaney.

In April, the 26-year-old uploaded an Instagram video to promote Bud Light’s March Madness contest whilst simultaneously celebrating her first year living as a woman.

The post resulted in conservative individuals and some Republican public figures – like Kid Rock and Marjorie Taylor Greene – spewing anti-trans rhetoric and announcing their boycott of Bud Light.

Throughout the aforementioned segment, CNN correspondent Ryan Young shocked LGBTQ+ viewers when he used the wrong pronouns when discussing Mulvaney.

In addition to misgendering the beloved TikTok star, the segment also included two interviews with people who regurgitated anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.

Shortly after the segment aired, LGBTQ+ activists took to social media to condemn CNN. 

One person on Twitter wrote: “Incredibly painful to even watch.No idea how this got approved to run or who thought it would be all dandy.. CNN really out here going ‘hmm IS it alright that trans ppl exist publicly?”

Another user tweeted: “This is the Overton window moving away from us, just as brands abandon us, greater acceptability in discriminating against us, etc. It’s a pattern and I do not like seeing it.” 

Due to the backlash, CNN anchor Kate Bouldan issued an apology on behalf of the network and Young at the end of their 12 July segment. 

“Yesterday in a segment about transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, who was featured in Bud Light’s recent campaign, she was mistakenly referred to by the wrong pronouns,” Bouldan said. 

“CNN aims to honor individuals’ ways of identifying themselves and we apologise for that error.” 

CNN’s apology comes a couple of weeks after Mulvaney broke her silence over the Bud Light controversy in an emotional Instagram video.

“I built my platform on being honest with you, and what I’m about to tell you might sound like old news, But you know that feeling when you have something uncomfy on your chest? Well, that’s how I feel right now. So this feels like the right thing to do,” she said.

Mulvaney went on to give a quick recap of the last few months before opening up about how the onslaught of backlash and transphobic hate affected her. 

“For months now, I’ve been scared to leave my house, I have been ridiculed in public, I have been followed, and I have felt a loneliness that I wouldn’t wish on anyone.”

The young talent then called out Bud Light for their lack of silence and support during the whole ordeal.

“For a company to hire a trans person and then not publically stand by them is worse, in my opinion, than not hiring a trans person at all because it gives customers permission to be as transphobic and hateful as they want.”