In the wake of losing a staggering $27 billion in market value, Bud Light has announced a generous $200,000 donation to minority LGBTQ business owners, aiming to emphasize their commitment to diversity and inclusion amid a massive boycott following their partnership with controversial transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney.
In March, Bud Light’s collaboration with Mulvaney sparked outrage, leading to an extensive boycott that significantly impacted Anheuser-Busch’s market value. In an attempt to demonstrate the company’s dedication to the LGBTQ+ community and mitigate the backlash, Bud Light released a statement on May 30, revealing their contribution to the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce’s Communities of Color Initiative. This charitable act is designed to support the success and growth of minority LGBTQ+-owned businesses through certification, scholarships, and business development.
Despite being accused of being “cowardly” by Jay Brown, a senior vice president at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the brewing company maintains a strong track record of industry leadership when it comes to supporting LGBTQ+ communities. Over the past 20 years, Anheuser-Busch has consistently provided support to numerous local and national nonprofit organizations dedicated to advocating for LGBTQ+ equality.
It remains to be seen whether Bud Light’s hefty donation will succeed in silencing critics and regaining the loyalty of customers, but one thing is certain: Anheuser-Busch is determined to prove their unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
