Move Over Bud Light. Most Major U.S. Beer Brands Partner with LGBTQ+ Groups and Causes

Move over, Bud Light. Newsweek reports that half of America's leading brewers have LGBTQ+ partnerships. This comes as conservatives are escalating their followers to boycott Bud Light because of its partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.

"On Sunday, Mulvaney shared a video promoting Bud Light to her 1.7 million Instagram followers, as part of a partnership with the company, which she thanked for sending over a personalized beer can to celebrate her 'day 365 of womanhood,' after transitioning," reports Newsweek.

The response from the Right was immediate and hostile. Pundits Matt Walsh and Mike Crispi announced they will boycott Bud Light in response. While country artist Travis Tritt said he was taking the beer off his tour rider, and, more alarmingly, musician Kid Rock posted a video of himself shooting Bud Light cans. The anti-Bud Light campaign can be seen as part of a fierce debate that has developed over transgender rights, with a particular focus on whether trans women should be able to access women's only spaces and take part in women's sports. Republicans have moved to ban gender-affirming care for children in 26 states across the U.S.

But with the backlash focused on Bud Light, Newsweek learned that five of the top 10 best-selling U.S. beers have LGBTQ+ partnerships, with the figure increasing to all 10 if parent companies are included.

"According to Beer Marketer's Insights shipping data, analyzed by 24/7 Wall Street, the 10 best-selling beers in the U.S. are Bud Light, Coors Light, Budweiser, Miller Lite, Corona Extra, Michelob Ultra, Modelo Especial, Natural Light, Busch Light and Busch. Coors Light, Budweiser, Miller Lite and Michelob Ultra have all run pro-LGBTQ+ campaigns, though have not attracted the same level of backlash as Bud Light," writes Newsweek.

Budweiser has also sponsored a number of LBGTQ+ events, including 2019 Pride events in London and Toronto. Coors Light has sponsoring Denver PrideFest and supports that the city's LBTBQ+ facility Center on Colfax. According to its website, Miller Lite has given $450,000 to the Equality Federation, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, with the brand launching its "Open & Proud" campaign in 2021. In partnership with the federation, it promotes inclusivity in bars where Miler Lite is served.

Bud Light and Budweiser are owned by Anheuser-Busch, which also owns Busch, Busch Light. The parent company has sponsored a number of LGBTQ+ events, including San Diego Pride, and in 2015 was listed by the Human Rights Campaign as one of the "best places to work" for LGBTQ+ employees.

An Anheuser-Busch spokesperson addressed the controversy, specifically surrounding Mulvaney, saying the company "works with hundreds of influencers across our brands as one of many ways to authentically connect with audiences across various demographics."

They added: "From time to time we produce unique commemorative cans for fans and for brand influencers, like Dylan Mulvaney."

Newsweek reported, "Corona Extra and Modelo Especial are both owned by Constellation Brands, which has supported a number of LGBTQ+ events. The brand partnered with Stonewall Sports, which promotes LGBTQ+ participation, and in 2020 scored a top 100 score on the 2020 Corporate Equality Index for LGBTQ equality."