Several LGBTQ+ venues in Chicago have stopped serving Bud Light in response to the beer company’s recent handling of a controversy involving transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. Anheuser-Busch, the parent company of Bud Light, has faced backlash after sending Mulvaney a personalized beer can, which she shared in a sponsored Instagram post. The post drew the ire of bigots who threatened the company and damaged store shelves, with some even filming themselves destroying Bud Light products.
Anheuser-Busch’s Response Ignites Further Outrage
Anheuser-Busch’s CEO, Brendan Whitworth, addressed the uproar, stating that the company “never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people.” This response led to five LGBTQ+ bars in Chicago, including Sidetrack Bar and the 2Bears Tavern Group, to drop Bud Light from their offerings. Sidetrack Bar expressed its disappointment with Anheuser-Busch’s decision to distance itself from Mulvaney, questioning the company’s support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Holding Brands Accountable
Both Sidetrack Bar and the 2Bears Tavern Group stated they will not sell any Anheuser-Busch products until the company demonstrates a clear commitment to not yielding to hate-filled voices that seek to erase LGBTQ+ existence. The 2Bears Tavern Group criticized Whitworth’s statement, arguing that it implies the rights and safety of transgender people are not worthy of debate.
Trans Influencer Dylan Mulvaney Addresses the Situation
Following the backlash, Mulvaney took to TikTok to share her thoughts on the situation. After initially wanting to stay quiet and let the furor subside, she decided to speak up and address her nearly 13 million followers. Bud Light, Maybelline, and Nike have all faced criticism for including trans people in their marketing campaigns after recruiting Mulvaney to appear in their advertisements.