Elon Musk is the founder and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, though he is not just an entrepreneur. He is a passionate philanthropist, a technology pioneer and an environmental advocate.
One of the lesser known facts about Elon Musk is that he has a transgender daughter. According to reports, his younger son, Griffin, who is 17 years old, presented as a transgender girl in 2017 and has thus far, been publicly supported by her father.
Musk’s decision to support and embrace his son’s transition is notable given the difficult landscape for transgender people in the US. According to a report by the US Transgender Survey conducted in 2020, 40% of transgender respondents have attempted suicide and 29% have been homeless at some point in their lives. Furthermore, transgender people have extremely high levels of economic insecurity and face an unemployment rate of nearly 15%, more than three times the national average of 4.7%.
In contrast to such statistics, Griffin’s transition was met with an outpouring of support, both from her father and the public at large. This event marked a milestone in making transgender people more accepted and acknowledged by society, and it has brought about a more inclusive culture for everyone, regardless of gender identity.
The support that Elon Musk has shown for Griffin has been highly praised by the LGBTQ community. His message of acceptance, understanding and love has resonated with many. In October 2019, Musk made a public tweet stating “Love is the answer” in response to a question directed at him, which has further emphasised his commitment to the issue.
The tech mogul has gone out of his way to make incidents like his son’s transition less of a taboo topic. Through his response to Griffin’s transition, he has raised awareness, created dialogue and pushed for a more tolerant and accepting society where you can be yourself and express yourself freely.
How other celebrities are responding
Following in the footsteps of Elon Musk, many other celebrities have also stepped in to give their support to the LGBTQ community in recent years. Recently, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Ariana Grande have all come out in support and actively raised awareness about the issues the community faces.
In 2019, Lady Gaga, who is known for her advocacy of the LGBTQ+ community and her effort in challenging traditional gender roles, founded the Born This Way Foundation. The foundation works to inspire bravery and kindness and provide mental health support to the LGBTQ+ community.
Katy Perry is also a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. In 2019, she was the winner of the Trevor Project’s Hero Award, which recognises those who have made a significant impact on LGBTQ+ youth. She accepted the award stating that “it is better to be kind because kindness is what brings us together”.
Ariana Grande has also been an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. She has made her support for the community known for a number of years, and has publicly raised awareness about issues such as gender identity, homophobia, and trans rights.
Digital Activism
Beyond celebrities, many people in the digital space have been driving social change and promoting intersectional forms of activism.
In recent years, the use of social media platforms has become a powerful tool for increasing public understanding of key social issues, as well as pushing for change on important issues such as gender identity, sexuality and racial justice.
Digital activism has been influential in pushing for gender equality and amplifying the voice of the LGBTQ+ community. Through the democratisation of media, digital activists, such as Youtubers, are now able to reach millions of people and spread their message of acceptance and understanding.
Digital activists have been effective in breaking down stereotypes surrounding gender, sexuality and race which, in turn, has resulted in increased tolerance, acceptance and understanding for people from different backgrounds and cultures.
One example is the “It Gets Better” campaign which was created to support LGBTQ+ youths. Through the use of social media platforms and video sharing websites, the campaign has reached millions of people and spread the message that it gets better and that there is support for those experiencing bullying and discrimination because of their gender identity.
Elon Musk for the greater good
With his philanthropy, environmental awareness and commitment to LGBTQ+ rights, Elon Musk has certainly made a vast and lasting impact. His efforts continue to shape the world in important ways and he has been an advocate for progress, inclusivity and acceptance of all kinds.
This, in effect, has also sparked a greater movement which encourages individuals to stand up for those discriminated against and to reject the current status quo. Musk’s actions highlight the need for more compassionate and understanding communities, and have highlighted his commitment to making the world a better place.
The economic impact of Elon Musk
Elon Musk’s drive and passion for bettering the world have also had a major economic impact. Through his electric car company Tesla, he has emerged as a force for technological change, and has invested heavily in the development of driverless cars.
He has strived to make technology more sustainable and efficient, and this has resulted in a surge in technological advancements in the automotive, aerospace and renewable energy industries.
Tesla’s success has also sparked a movement within the larger automotive industry to invest in the shift to sustainable and renewable energy, as automakers increasingly realise the economic benefits that come with shifting focus to electric vehicles.
The economic success of Tesla has also been beneficial to the US economy. Tesla’s stock is estimated to be worth nearly $600 billion, with a majority of its assets being located in the US. This has resulted in a surge in technology jobs, and has helped to boost the US economy.
Additionally, Tesla’s success in the US has resulted in a global movement towards investing in electric cars and renewable energy, as more and more countries begin to adopt similar policies and invest in the development of electric vehicles.
The power of the media
Elon Musk’s success has been supported and amplified by the media, and this has played a major role in his rise to fame. By highlighting his efforts, the media has encouraged more people to become aware of his work and has raised his public profile.
Furthermore, the media’s coverage of his powerful message of acceptance and understanding has given a platform to his philanthropic efforts. Moreover, the media coverage has put a spotlight on his efforts to make the world a better place, which has further encouraged people to know more about his vision and mission.
Musk’s story has captivated a global audience and has prompted many people to pay attention and engage in the larger dialogue about the issues that the LGBTQ+ community faces. This has helped in driving meaningful change and creating a more equitable and tolerant society.
The value of diversity
At the heart of it, Elon Musk’s decision to support his son’s transition and push for better acceptance of LGBTQ+ people has highlighted the value of diverse voices and perspectives. His message of acceptance and understanding is an important one and speaks to the importance of advancing diversity and inclusion in our society.
By challenging the dominant culture and offering support to those who have been on the fringe or unacknowledged, Elon Musk has taken an important step forward in making the wider world more tolerant and understanding of different lifestyles and identities.
His actions have sparked conversations, raised awareness and highlighted the need to stand up for those who are discriminated against. As a result, his example serves as an inspiration and hopefully has encouraged more people to look upon inclusion and understanding with more acceptance and embrace.
