Elon Musk, the multi-billionaire tech mogul, is a household name, especially given his enthusiasm for the exploration of space and presence on popular media. But lesser known is his personal life, of which there have been several speculations surrounding. One such speculation is that Musk has a transgender child, and it’s one worth exploring in light of the technology giant’s wider influence.
Experts suggest that Musk is no stranger to progressive thinking and views on social issues. It was reported in 2014 that he offered his sizeable donation to the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which campaigns for the legalization of same-sex marriages. Such evidence is likely to lead to conjectures about the tech mogul’s family dynamics.
Figures from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation are stark. A report by the organization found that in 2019, nearly two-thirds of youth aged 13-17 identifying as transgender has considered suicide over the preceding twelve months. Similar figures were also seen among people aged 18-24.
Given this, conversations around whether Musk has a trans child, or any child in that regard, are animportant one to have; Musk’s actions, words and more significantly, his demographic profile are likely to carry disproportionate influence globally.
In the event of his having a transgender child, this could provide respite for those in the LGBTQ community and society at large. Research from the World Health Organization indicates that stigma, prejudice, and discrimination can put LGBTQ people at risk for social isolation, poor mental health outcomes and can limit the ability of LGBTQ people to participate fully in community life.
Nevertheless, what is crucial to remember is the intention and empathy the tech mogul might have for those in the LGBTQ community that are lacking the safety and security that Musk’s influence and prominence offers. Such protection is of paramount importance for the transgender community who, per The Guardian, have endured a ‘marked rise in violence and attacks’.
Advocate of LGBTQ Rights
Beyond conjecture, Musk has certainly not been tense, he has been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ rights. In addition to his contribution to the American Foundation for Equal rights, he also signed an open letter published in the San Francisco Chronicle in 2017, calling on businesses to support the Equality Act. Such acts, while not obvious acknowledgments of a transgender child, certainly echo initiatives that people with a personal connection to the community are known to do.
The tech mogul also supported his brother, Kimbal Musk, and his wife, Christiana Wyly, lobbying for the passage of a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in Texas. Furthermore, Musk tweeted in 2018 that all couples should have the same rights and ‘not be discriminated against based on sex’.
Taken together, one could cite a pattern of behaviour that suggests that Musk is a proponent and advocate of LGBTQ rights. Regardless of the dispute around his child, it is necessary to recognize that such standpoints, regardless of speculation, are entirely consistent with him positioning himself at the vanguard of progressive thought.
No Obligation to Comment
That being said, it is necessary to recognize that, even in the event Musk having a transgender child, he is not obligated to comment on such matters, relatively or otherwise. This is even more evident given the climate of media scrutiny and speculation that come along with considered opinion from Musk, with any comment liable to become a part of an ongoing news cycle.
Furthermore, this decision to not comment is one of discretion. In an era of ‘clickbait’ media, where titillation is prioritized to the detriment of investigative journalism, steady analysis is a rarity and nuance is often sacrificed at the altar of headlines. For example, reporting on the development of autonomous vehicles, Musk has been named as both a ‘tech superhero’ and ‘tech super villain.’
Given such a climate of media conversation, it is reasonable to assume that Musk may not comment on a personal matter such as the speculation surrounding his child’s gender identity given the lack of insight and scope of opinion that such a headline attracts.
Predominantly Positive Reception
In contrast, it is reasonable to suggest that the tech mogul’s potential to have a transgender child is likely to be seen in a predominantly positive light given the ambiguity of his personal life. This is due to the wider context of the speculation that surrounds Musk; it comes at a time when the tech mogul is increasingly involved in philanthropy and human rights initiatives. According to figures from the World Counter, Musk has donated $257 million to charities over the last ten years from 2008 to 2018 respectively.
Additionally, his willingness to support charities and campaigns that are environmentally conscious has also been widely noticed. A report by the Guardian highlights that Musk is a resident of a ‘billionaires’ club’ of 13 whose ‘vast fortunes’ are used to back green projects in the wake of a global climate change crisis. Such actions, if embraced, can provide light to a tentative darkness.
Furthermore, it is pertinent to remember Musk’s personal parents, who have, as far as public knowledge is concerned, offered anything but public criticism of their child. This is despite some personal actions which have been seen as almost alienating, including his divorce from, and marriage to, actress Talulah Riley, amongst other various social media posts. Such temperament, which often varies in its severity and direction, seemingly does not impede from his family’s support system.
Resource Provision
It is worth noting that there have been several attempts to provide aid to the transgender community by several grassroots organizations and charities, who seek to help those in the LGBTQ community become more independent, with the necessary resources and support for the same. According to Fabulously Queer, an organization that supports the needs of LGBTQ youth, those facing financial constraints can apply to the Russian LGBT Network for funding. Additionally, organizations such as the Trevor Project, a charity that supports young people who are in need of emotional support and suicide prevention initiatives, are taking steps to balance the gap between access to resources and privilege.
It is also pertinent to note the potential that Musk’s influence carries, even without a stated personal connection to transgender rights. His philanthropy and campaigning for green initiatives, as well as opposition to bigotry and hate could be used to shift the needle towards greater social acceptance of those in the LGBTQ community, irrespective of the relationship he has with a supposed transgender child.
Musk as Catalyst
Given such initiatives, experts suggest that Musk’s role in the community can go beyond being merely a leader of causes, but that of a champion and catalyst for them. The suggestion is that his influence over the technology community, for one, can be used to incorporate LGBTQ issues into the daily operations of organizations. This would involve companies forming alliances with other charities and grassroots organizations, utilizing their resources and contact to help create a long-term sustained support system for those within the LGBTQ community.
Lawyers also suggest that attorneys taking legal action on behalf of LGBTQ people can also act as catalysts, using the law as an instrument of change and challenge in wider society to protect and enhance rights. That being said, the increasing legal rights of LGBTQ people, such as marriage and adoption, are a testament to the aforementioned moves part of the community to endure various forms of discrimination and persecution.
Musk as Role Model
Regardless of the decision to comment or not, this is to say that whether Musk has a transgender child or not is ultimately insignificant. What is pertinent is that the tech mogul stands at the helm of progress, and his actions, philanthropy and humanitarianism stand as a strong statement in support of inclusion of those within the LGBTQ community.
As such, Musk can act as a role model for LGBTQ kids. His presence in the public can act as a signpost to those beginning to think and live outside of what traditional binary gender norms might anticipate of a male billionaire. That being said, one wrong move by Musk on the LGBTQ spectrum may potentially land him in hot water with the public.
Foster Inclusive Culture
The LGBTQ movement is one that is constantly in the spotlight, and with it comes the necessity of responsibility for those wanting to aid it. This is even more relevant for someone in Elon Musk’s social standing, suggesting the application of the ethical principle of respect in regards to the rights of transgender people andLGBTQ activists. Such a move instills the message that respect for and promotion of human rights and inclusion, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity, transcends all hierarchies.
For businesses and organizations, including those in the tech space that Musk often occupies, it is becoming increasingly important to apply proper efforts to foster an inclusive culture. This involves active steps, such as the review of hiring and recruiting practices, the development of diversity and inclusion policies, as well as training on the matter and creating internal networks.
Finally, progress on issues such as trans rights come with the responsibility of shifting traditional gender norms, and this is something that the tech mogul could certainly participate in, should he ever decide to comment on the speculation around his child, if it is indeed a fact. Such actions, regardless of speculation, move us one step closer to a future of total gender acceptance, with Elon Musk at the fore.
