WASHINGTON — The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) announced a key Featured Session at the South By Southwest (SXSW®) Conference and Festivals curated to discuss poignant LGBTQ+ issues. The panel, titled "When Beer Goes Viral: The Role of Brands and Media in Fighting Hate," will dive into the responsibility of brands and the media to not perpetuate misinformation and discrimination. The Featured Session will be on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at a time to be determined.
The SXSW Featured Session participants include:
Kelley Robinson, the first Black queer woman president of HRC
Dylan Mulvaney, trans actress and content creator. Her viral videos have received over 1 billion views across TikTok and Instagram, and in early 2023, she was at the epicenter of a far-right hate and misinformation campaign fueled by a singular paid content piece by a major beer company.
Aaron Walton, CEO and founder of Walton Isaacson, a progressive and innovative marketing and advertising firm. An inductee into the 2023 Advertising Hall of Fame, Aaron began his career as a marketing executive at PepsiCo before founding his own entertainment marketing firm.
Jo Yurcaba, a reporter for NBC OUT, the LGBTQ+ section at NBC News Digital with a focus on the transgender community. They have been published by NBCNews.com, ELLE, Teen Vogue, Marie Claire, Verywell, Woman's Day, Bustle, among others.
"Brands and creators can play a major role in the peddling of disinformation and sensationalized, hate-filled rhetoric online and in the public discourse. Dylan experienced first-hand how a transphobic, click-bait driven narrative leads to real-life consequences," said Robinson. "Inclusive marketing campaigns are not political statements, nor should they be controversial. Inclusivity is the baseline expectation for any company, business or organization that is committed to equality. We are so proud to work with this incredible group of queer advocates, experts and SXSW to bring this critical conversation to Austin next year."
The official description for this SXSW Featured Session is: "When trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney partnered with a major beer brand, the right-wing seized on the campaign. The company's response only exacerbated things further — while conventional and social media platforms helped elevate small groups of anti-trans radicals. This panel will dive into the responsibility of brands and the media to not fuel the fire of misinformation and discrimination. Attendees will better understand how to spot the pitfalls of elevating sensational, hate-filled content aimed at undermining the acceptance and inclusion of LGBTQ+ people."
The SXSW Conference is organized into various programming tracks that specifically relate to this panel's message and audience, including: Advertising & Brand Experience, Creating Film & TV, Creator Economy, Culture, Design, Film & TV Industry, Government and Civic Engagement, Music & Tech, Startups, Tech Industry, Workplace. More information about SXSW programming tracks and formats can be found here. Also look for leading LGBTQ+ artists and storytellers in the SXSW Music and Film & TV Festival programs closer to the event.
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ+ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.
SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of tech, film and television, music, education, and culture. An essential destination for global professionals, the annual March event features sessions, music, and comedy showcases, film and television screenings, exhibitions, professional development, and a variety of networking opportunities. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together. SXSW 2024 will take place March 8—16 in Austin. Learn more at sxsw.com. To register for the event, please visit sxsw.com/attend.
