New York’s historic Stonewall Inn, recognized as the first LGBTQ+ National Historic Landmark and the site of the 1969 riots that sparked the gay rights movement, has announced it will pour Anheuser-Busch beers down the drain during Pride week in protest of the brewer’s political contributions.
Corporations that have embraced rainbow-flag advertising yet contributed millions to anti-LGTBQ+ politicians are the source of contention. A study conducted by the Corporate Accountability Action project showed that, between 2015 and 2020, Anheuser-Busch donated approximately $35,000 to 29 legislators that have consistently fought against gay rights issues.
Citizens United, a controversial Supreme Court decision from 2010 that allows unlimited political contributions from corporations, sits at the heart of the matter. Activists seeking an equitable society have railed against the use of corporate money to influence political processes regarding social issues.
Stacy Lentz and Kurt Kelly, owners of the Stonewall Inn, are supporting the “Keep Your Pride” campaign, aimed at holding corporations to their word. “You can’t turn your logo rainbow on social media, call yourself an ally, and then turn around and make donations that fuel hate,” Lentz told the AP.
The bar will pour Stella Artois and Bud Light down the drain on Wednesday, and will stop serving Anheuser-Busch beers during Pride weekend, to demonstrate its commitment to the cause.
In a statement in response to the news, Anheuser-Busch denied that it makes contributions based on activist agendas ,and insisted that all donations are made to “support candidates for public office whose policy positions and objectives support investments in our communities, job creation and industry growth.”
