In a dramatic turn of events, several LGBTQ+ bars in Chicago are boycotting Bud Light and all Anheuser-Busch products! This comes as the company faces mounting backlash from the political right after partnering with trans woman influencer Dylan Mulvaney, only to issue a lukewarm apology. With Bud Light sales plummeting and other brands stepping up, it’s a race against time to see if the brewing giant can save its tarnished image! Meanwhile, AB InBev’s CEO deflects blame, accusing social media misinformation for the nationwide boycott.
As the controversy surrounding Bud Light’s partnership with controversial influencer Dylan Mulvaney continues to unfold, several LGBTQ+ bars on Chicago’s North Side have decided to take a stand. In an act of defiance, these bars have dropped all Anheuser-Busch products from their establishments, asserting that the company has abandoned their community by siding with hate.
This decision comes after Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth issued a statement that many believe fell short of the support that the LGBTQ+ community deserves. The statement read, in part, “We never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people. My time serving this country taught me the importance of accountability and the values upon which America was founded.”
AB InBev’s CEO, Carlos Brito, has instead blamed “misinformation and confusion” on social media for stoking the nationwide boycott. Rather than accepting responsibility for the company’s actions, Brito points fingers at inaccurate reports that suggested Mulvaney’s Bud Light can was meant for general production and sale to the public.
This deflection raises further questions about the company’s sincerity in addressing the concerns of the LGBTQ+ community.
The uproar began when Bud Light partnered with Dylan Mulvaney, sparking backlash from the political right, including Kid Rock using Bud Light cans for target practice. After Mulvaney faced online hate and bigotry, Whitworth issued his statement, which many saw as a semi-apology rather than a strong commitment to the LGBTQ+ community.
Now, the 2Bears group has removed all traces of Anheuser-Busch products from their establishments. Other influential LGBTQ+ bars, such as the trailblazing Northalsted LGBTQ+ bar Sidetrack, have also announced their decision to drop all Anheuser-Busch products. The community demands more than just superficial displays of support, such as rainbow flags on merchandise. They are looking for real, honest commitment from companies who claim to stand with them.
In response to the boycott, an Anheuser-Busch spokesperson stated, “We remain committed to the programs and partnerships we have forged over decades with organizations to drive economic prosperity across a number of communities, including those in the LGBTQ+ community.” The community, however, will be closely monitoring the company’s actions to see if they live up to their statement.
Meanwhile, as Bud Light sales have collapsed by 26% from a year ago, rival brands Coors Light and Miller Light have experienced a 21% growth during the same period. Bud Light executives are scrambling to restore the brand’s image by accelerating the production of new ads, but only time will tell if they can win back the trust of the LGBTQ+ community and the public at large.
In a stunning display of solidarity, multiple LGBTQ+ bars in Chicago are standing up against Bud Light and Anheuser-Busch, demanding genuine support and commitment to their community. With the brewing giant’s reputation on the line, will they step up and address the concerns of the LGBTQ+ community, or will they continue to flounder in the face of backlash and accusations of social media misinformation? Stay tuned to Next News as we bring you the latest updates on this developing story.
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