A Christian Response to The Dylan Mulvaney Mania

Written by Peter Heck

Years ago I remember being floored when I realized that Abercrombie and Fitch – which is a clothing company – was actually selling clothes by using nakedness.

I should have known then that it was only a matter of time before I’d see Nike, a company historically associated with athleticism and even masculinity, selling sports bras and women’s athletic gear by using a man.

Dylan Mulvaney is now an influencer for Nike Women’s products. Men are truly the best women
pic.twitter.com/FPzLctvrz2

— YAF (@yaf) April 6, 2023

First, I should say that I’m sympathetic to those who argue that talking about this, that linking to his post, gives this man Dylan Mulvaney and the whole social movement he helps lead, what they desperately crave – more attention.

I understand that concern. But I also believe that if you care about people – not just Dylan Mulvaney, but also those who are being inspired and encouraged by his influence – there simply must be a vocal counterpoint provided.

Christianity offers that counterpoint, and those of us who are Christians shouldn’t be ashamed to offer it. We shouldn’t be ashamed to say that what companies like Nike…

Jack Daniel’s…

Anheuser-Busch…

…what they are all doing to appease the spirit of the age makes a mockery of the mystique of femininity and grandeur of womanhood. It’s not unlike the demeaning legacy of actors like Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon donning blackface for money.

The patriarchal sexism of the late Roman Republic prohibited female participation in the theater. Men played all roles, using wigs and masks to signify characteristics like age and gender. Is it not disappointing to see modern American culture’s rebellion against reason cause us to regress into the same misogyny?

This corporate-sponsored transgender craze makes a mockery of womanhood, and not just because companies are deciding that men are better equipped to sell women’s clothing than women.

Go back and watch that Dylan Mulvaney video again and ask yourself if there is any actual woman in your life who acts like this? It’s infantile and beyond silly. I have young daughters and they do not carry themselves in such a childish manner. A culture that truly respects women should not approve of this kind of demeaning caricature.

But even more than that, and I understand this may not mean anything to some, but godly people who are called by Christ to love others and to value them, have a responsibility to speak up for people like Dylan Mulvaney. No, not in the worldly manner that would agree with the anorexic and tell them that they are indeed fat, and need to eat less. No, speak up for them in the loving manner that tells the truth.

Mulvaney is not well. He is suffering deeply, and no amount of cosmetics, fancy clothes, or lucrative endorsement deals change that. They will only mask it for awhile. Big corporations don’t care about such things, and neither do activists and cultural militants. But Christians do. Christians realize that Dylan Mulvaney is an image bearer of the Creator, that he has a place in God’s eternal architecture, and needs help.

I guess I don’t believe that will be accomplished through scorn. Any impulse we feel to mock isn’t necessarily misplaced, but it should rightly be focused on the wealthy corporations who see in people like Dylan Mulvaney individuals to exploit for profit before discarding into irrelevance. Ridicule their lack of discernment and compassion. Don’t buy their products if you so choose.

But Dylan Mulvaney? He doesn’t need contempt. He needs our prayers and for someone to tell him the truth.

Peter Heck is a writer, speaker, and teacher from Indiana. He is married to Jenny, and is the father of three kids. Peter holds to the infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture in his teaching and writing, and has a passion for biblical literacy and for demonstrating the Bible’s applicability to all of life. 

Peter is the lead opinion writer for “Not the Bee.” His opinions have also been published in the Washington Times, Washington Post, USA Today, and on CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News. A former radio host, Peter produces a daily podcast and has authored a number of books on Christians and the culture.