Singer Lady Gaga faces backlash for showcasing trans activist Dylan Mulvaney in celebration of International Women’s Day last Friday.
In a set of photos and a video, the 37-year-old musician was seen alongside Mulvaney, with Gaga expressing, “I’m putting you on my vision board, for life,” and Mulvaney, a transgender woman, responding with affection, “I love you.”
“Put this on your vision board,” Gaga says again.
According to The Daily Mail, the pair appeared to be participating in a photoshoot for Haus Labs, Lady Gaga’s cosmetics line, and the pharmaceutical company Clinuvel.
Comments poured in from followers expressing frustration that a man was being featured on a day dedicated to women.
“Isn’t International Women’s Day for women? Lol, just another instance of some… creepy male trying to appropriate yet another aspect of women’s lives,” one Instagram commenter remarked.
“This is incredibly disrespectful to authentic women,” another account chimed in.
“Why is Dylan being portrayed? He’s ‘NOT’ a woman. What an affront to us ‘REAL’ women. Stop encroaching on our space,” a third echoed.
Lady Gaga, born Stefani Germanotta, has long been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights. In a 2017 interview with Out Magazine, she expressed her gratitude to the LGBTQ community for their support throughout her career, stating, “When I rose to fame, it was the LGBTQ+ community that lifted me up. I dedicated myself to them, and they dedicated themselves to me. Because of the LGBTQ+ community, I am where I am today.”
She further stated her desire to bring gay culture into the mainstream, emphasizing its integral role in her life. “It’s not just a subculture to me; it’s my entire existence. So I often quip that my real agenda is to make the world gay.”
Mulvaney gained prominence through his TikTok series “Days of Girlhood,” chronicling his journey from male to female.
Following a promotional campaign for Bud Light last April, Mulvaney attracted national attention. Anheuser-Busch, the parent company, reportedly suffered significant losses, estimated at over one billion dollars, due to conservative boycotts over their collaboration with the transgender influencer.