Ford is the latest company to be dragged into the Bud Light controversy, as their public support of LGBTQ+ rights has some levying criticism at the car manufacturer.
This April has seen Dylan Mulvaney become something of a household name. You’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone in the United States who hasn’t yet caught wind of the Bud Light controversy.
On April 2, Mulvaney, a popular transgender influencer, celebrated the March Madness final. She shared to Instagram the personalized beer can she had been sent by Bud Light celebrating her “365 days of girlhood” and March Madness. This has resulted in widespread criticism from netizens who claim the company are appealing to “wokeness.”
Here’s how Ford fits into the unfolding controversy.
Ford has stated long-term commitment to LGBTQ+ allyship
Ford Motor Company has been vocal in its support of the LGBTQ+ community for years. Despite not weighing in on the Dylan Mulvaney-Bud Light controversy, Ford has made their allyship well known.
Just last summer, Ford launched their ‘Very Gay Raptor’ (VGR) at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. This was part of their campaign to define “tough” and reaffirm their “long-term commitment to LGBTQ+ allyship,” a Ford press release from June 2022 reveals.
‘Built Ford Proud’ seeks to be an LGBTQ+ inclusive campaign
Last month, Ford relaunched their ‘Built Ford Proud’ campaign. This currently features Sydney Sweeney, Dee Bryant, and Kai Lenny, all showing how they use their vehicles. The intention of this campaign is to highlight Ford drivers who break the mold and defy stereotypes.
Despite what some might lead you to believe, such as Rogan O’Handley, this is not a campaign specifically created in support of the LGBTQ+ community. Built Ford Proud is not necessarily to be interpreted as a subliminal message in support of LGBTQ+ rights. But it is intended to be inclusive.
During South Africa’s Pride Month in 2020, Neale Hill explained how the company is seeking to define its concept of ‘tough’ and ‘proud’. “Being ‘BuiltProud’ means we never give up and we look to what has already been achieved to keep motivating diversity and inclusion,” Hill explained. “It is encouraging to see the wave of acceptance that has been evident in recent years, with a shift towards a more inclusive world where gender identity has become more fluid, and people are able to express themselves – and not only be accepted but are being embraced and celebrated.”
‘Irony tends to be ironic’
As the Bud Light boycott grows, Ford has been used as a prime example of the irony at hand.
“People mad at Bud Light for supporting LGBTQ and switching to Coors Light who also supports LGBTQIA filming videos in front of their Ford and Chevy trucks that also supports LGBT,” one Twitter user pointed out. “Irony tends to be ironic,” they added.
“You still own any Ford trucks? You’re going to be upset if you do…” another tweeted to Travis Tritt who’s ‘deleting’ Anheuser-Busch products from his tour rider.
“If you only want to buy from brands that don’t support the LGBTQ+ community, you’re gonna have a bad time,” a Twitter user emphasized.
For support via phone, one-to-one chat or email you can contact The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender National Hotline: (888) 843-4564. There is also The GLBT National Youth Talkline (youth serving youth through age 25): (800) 246-7743.
You can also contact Trans Lifeline on (877) 565-8860, a trans-led organization connecting trans people to the community. They also offer details of support and local resources.
Please visit PFLAG for more support and helplines here.
For UK support, visit LGBT.Foundation/helpline or call 0345 330 30 30, or email [email protected],foundation. There is also a 24 hour crisis text service available at 85258 from Give Us A Shout, or you can call 0300 330 5468 for MindLine Trans+
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