Transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney has once again found herself at the center of controversy after sharing a post celebrating International Women’s Day on Instagram over the weekend.
The post in question featured the 28-year-old social media personality sharing scenes from her book tour for her memoir titled Paper Dolls: Notes from a Late Bloomer, which reflects on her rise to fame and explores some of her controversies.
It also had the words “Happy International Women’s Day,” but the gesture quickly drew backlash from critics who accused her of undermining the significance of the day for cisgender women.
The Controversial Post
Mulvaney could be seen having the time of her life as she enjoyed her book tour, signing books, and meeting her fans.
“One of the best days of my life,” she captioned her post.
As she expressed her love for her followers and thanked the women in her life, her message quickly sparked outrage from critics and haters alike, accusing her of pretending to be a woman for clout.
“Delulu,” one commenter said, which meant delusional or having unrealistic beliefs.
Others stressed that Mulvaney was a man and even accused her of being creepy.
“International Women’s Day is for a celebration of real women. Sorry Charlie!” Instagram user catpenciledinpen added.
The Backlash
Unfortunately, it wasn’t only in Mulvaney’s post that people on the internet expressed their dislike for her celebration of International Women’s Day.
As the backlash was swift and widespread, her detractors took to X to show their disapproval.
An X user called Mulvaney a “mockery of International Women’s Day” while urging others to boycott Barnes & Noble, where her book signing took place.
@CNviolations claimed what she did was “completely outrageous,” emphasizing that “he is not a girl and never will be.”
Dylan Mulvaney’s Past Controversies
This isn’t the first time Mulvaney has sparked outrage and faced controversies. In fact, she has been involved in several controversial events throughout her public career.
In April 2023, Mulvaney partnered with Bud Light in a social media campaign promoting the beer brand in a video celebrating her “365 Days of Girlhood” milestone.
The campaign faced backlash from conservative audiences, who accused Bud Light of pushing a political agenda. This led to significant boycotts and criticism, ultimately affecting Bud Light’s sales.
Later that year, Mulvaney faced similar criticism for her partnership with Nike to promote the brand’s women’s sportswear. Critics argued that a transgender woman should not represent women's athletic apparel, calling the collaboration inappropriate.
Mulvaney also drew condemnation from conservative groups for her involvement in politics when she interviewed former U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House in October 2022 to discuss transgender rights. Many claimed it politicized gender identity.
In March 2024, Mulvaney faced yet another controversy during International Women’s Day, with critics claiming she was inappropriately representing biological women.
Despite these controversies, Mulvaney continues to be a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and transgender visibility.
While detractors continue to criticize her visibility as a transgender woman, supporters argue that her participation in such celebrations is a step toward fostering inclusivity.