TikTok creator Dylan Mulvaney was featured in a recent ad for skincare brand EOS, specifically for shaving cream. Mulvaney, a transgender actress and digital creator, rapidly rose to prominence online for her “days of girlhood” series documenting her transitioning experiences. After fellow digital creator Oli London criticized the advertisement’s inclusion of Mulvaney, arguing that women should not have facial hair. Women were quick to defend the actor turned digital creator in the comments, explaining the slew of different reasons that any woman can grow facial hair.
“I’m a girl who gets facial hair” –
Dylan Mulvaney,
Brand Ambassador for EOS ???? pic.twitter.com/vqZza4NKQg— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) April 25, 2023
The leading cause of facial hair in women is simply genetics. Some women simply inherit the ability to grow facial hair from their parents’ traits, and it does not always signify an underlying health issue.
people keep saying pcos but it’s not just a symptom of something? like plenty of perfectly healthy cisgendered women who don’t have pcos also grow face and body hair?
— mack misses looney bean coffee (@mackdeezy00) April 26, 2023
Additionally, women diagnosed with Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) often struggle with facial hair growth as well. There are several other hormonal disorders in cisgender women can cause excessive hair growth, including endometriosis. Both are linked to extreme pain, fertility issues, and other difficult symptoms. Women who live with these conditions continue to educate social media users on them today in wake of the EOS ad.
You know cis women grow facial hair right? PCOS commonly causes hirsutism and it’s estimated 5-10% of women in the US have PCOS.
Transphobes try not to uphold and weaponize toxic body standards against the cis women they claim to protect challenge
— Merrick ???????? (@punishedmother) April 26, 2023
Musician Bebe Rexha recently spoke up about her experience living with PCOS, addressing the criticisms of her weight. Today’s Mulvaney campaign is furthering the conversation surrounding all women’s health.
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Bebe Rexha opens about the struggles with her weight while treating PCOS:
“I could afford the lipo and I could afford a boob job, but right now I’m fucking terrified of that shit, I’m not against it, you got rid of your stomach, Amazing. I’m jealous of that.” pic.twitter.com/dcuZiRj3T0
— Bebe Rexha Stan (@rxhstan) April 26, 2023
Dylan Taking On Her Criticisms
Mulvaney continues to face anti-trans sentiment for her several major brand deals. Musician Kid Rock recently criticized Bud Light for featuring Mulvaney in their latest advertisement. The singer shot at a case of the popular beers and tweeted the video with a message rife with expletives against the trans community.
Caitlyn Jenner additionally criticized Nike for sponsoring Mulvaney. Jenner remains a controversial figure in the world of professional sports. A trans woman and former Olympian herself, she continues to assert that trans athletes should play their sports with the sex they were assigned at birth.
After weeks of transphobic backlash, Mulvaney finally spoke out about it on an episode of Rosie O’Donnell’s podcast. She said, “The reason I think I’m an easy target is because I’m still new to this. I think going after a trans woman who has been doing this for 20 years is a lot more difficult. Maybe they think there’s some sort of chance with me that they can—but I mean, what is their goal?”
The Background
In recent months, a string of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation has spread nationwide. With drag bans and bans on transgender healthcare for minors on the rise, Mulvaney’s work seeks to educate the masses on the trans experience. Most recently, Mulvaney hosted a benefit concert for the Trevor Project, which works to prevent suicide in LGBTQ+ youth.
Mulvaney is yet to address the criticism of the EOS advertisement.
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