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Brand Money

Nike Sponsoring Dylan Mulvaney for a Sports Bra

There has been a mixed response to Nike's move to sponsor transgender athlete Dylan

Mulvaney for a sports bra. Some have commended Nike for supporting diversity and inclusion

with this decision, while others have condemned the company for utilizing Mulvaney as a PR

gimmick (The Guardian, 2021). As stated by Nike, "We believe in the power of sport to move

the world forward, and we are committed to breaking down barriers and creating a more

inclusive society." This is consistent with Nike's "Be True" campaign and other attempts to

encourage acceptance and diversity. Nonetheless, some see Nike's support of Mulvaney as

nothing more than an attempt to cash in on the popularity of the LGBTQ+ community.

The backlash against Bud Light

Like Nike's decision to sponsor Dylan Mulvaney for a sports bra, Bud Light's decision to

feature Mulvaney on a limited edition beer can drew criticism. However, others have accused

Bud Light of "pinkwashing," or capitalizing on the LGBTQ+ community's identities for financial

gain without advocating for their rights and well-being (The Advocate, 2021). The campaign was

also criticized for failing to address the racism and violence experienced by transgender persons

of color (Out, 2021).

As a therapist

As a therapist, you know how crucial it is to support your patients while they work

through challenging personal issues. The client is concerned about how their religious relatives

will respond because of their transgender spouse. Creating a friendly atmosphere where clients

may express their views and feelings without worrying about being judged is crucial. Counselors
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can help clients reach their families by reviewing potential outcomes and addressing their

anxieties.

According to MacCarthy et al. (2020), therapists can aid their patients by advising them

to live in the moment and develop a plan for handling any unpleasant reactions from family

members. Helping clients discover and embrace their beliefs and viewpoints is a crucial

component of the therapy process.

Mental Health Disorder

People who hate those who are not heterosexual may be suffering from various mental

health issues. Psychological problems, including anxiety, depression, and personality disorders,

have been connected to homophobia and transphobia in studies (Savin-Williams, 2017).

According to specialists, the same-sex attractions of certain people may cause them to feel

ashamed, guilty, and afraid (Herek, 2009). Others have argued that people's views on people who

do not identify as heterosexual are heavily influenced by their upbringing and culture

(Hatzenbuehler, 2016). Although not everyone with such views suffers from a diagnosable

mental health disorder, talking to a trained professional about what is happening in their head can

be extremely helpful.
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References

Hatzenbuehler, M. L. (2016). Structural stigma and the health of lesbian, gay, and bisexual

populations. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 25(2), 135-141.

Herek, G. M. (2009). Sexual orientation differences as deficits: Science and stigma in the history

of American psychology. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 4(2), 186-197.

Savin-Williams, R. C. (2017). The psychological and social implications of LGBTQ hate crimes.

American Psychologist, 72(5), 454-465.

Johnson, J. (2021, February 4). Nike just made Dylan Mulvaney the face of sports bras. Can it

lead to real change? CNN.https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/04/us/dylan-mulvaney-nike-

sports-bra-trnd/index.html

Out. (2021, October 26). Bud Light Put Dylan Mulvaney on a Limited Edition Beer

Can.https://www.out.com/transgender/2021/10/26/bud-light-put-dylan-mulvaney-limited-

edition-beer-can

The Advocate. (2021, October 28). Bud Light's "Trans Can" Ignores Violence and

Discrimination in Community.https://www.advocate.com/transgender/2021/10/28/bud-

lights-trans-can-ignores-violence-and-discrimination-community