Gay bars boycott Bud Light after Anheuser-Busch InBev's "anti-transgender actions and statements"

The never ending Bud Light saga has yet another update. After the CEO's mealy mouthed statement where he stated "We never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people" , and the Human Rights Campaign threatening to lower Bud Lights index score, we now learn that gay bars in Chicago are boycotting the brand. Bud Light has indeed "shat in the blue cabinet", as it seems this saga will never end!

The owner of a series of gay bars known as 2Bears Tavern Group in Chicago took to Instagram to declare that they will be discontinuing the sale of Bud Light.

“All 2Bears Tavern Group bars are discontinuing Anheuser-Busch InBev products as a result of the brewer’s anti-transgender actions and statements.”

On the second slide of their statement the 2bears tavern continues:

"We gave Anheuser-Busch some time to revisit its position hoping it would realize it acted in haste. It did not. Instead, it went further in the wrong direction, apparently seeking to punish the people who came up with the plan to recognize Mulvany in the first place by placing several of them on leave. That speaks volumes as to how far AB will go to placate those in this country who sow hate and division."

Meanwhile in Florida, the Grills Seafood Deck and Tiki Bar posted an open letter to Anheuser-Busch on their Facebook page, saying that they too will clear away all of the Bud Light branding and beer from their restaurant, and "Grills Restaurants and Sunrise Marina will not co-sponsor or seek endorsement from Anheuser-Busch for any local events, such as fishing and golf tournaments that we have jointly promoted for nearly three decades."

"I am disgusted by what you have done and what you are doing. You are the one causing this division and anger in our society. You are responsible for making some of the gay community think Grills does not welcome them. And you knew EXACTLY what you were doing when you launched this campaign. How could you not? “Good ole boy beer…meets Dylan Mulvaney? Hmm. Let’s see what that does to the country.” NOBODY is that stupid. This goes way beyond transgenderism. This wasn’t a marketing mistake. Your corporation knew the fire storm they would ignite in this country but chose to do it anyway. I pray all our eyes are opened as to why."

The response to this post is divided, as some expressed their unwavering support and vowed to remain loyal customers, while others commented that they eagerly anticipated the closure of the restaurant. The Dylan Mulvany Bud Light saga has proven to be a polarizing issue, with opinions sharply split.

The Ad contrarian, Bob Hoffman, has a few wise words on the Bud Light debacle in his newsletter today.

   1. Politics is nasty business. The minute you take a position on anything controversial you alienate half the population. Don't believe me? I'll send you some of the emails I get.
   2. Your job as a marketer is to sell stuff. Nobody needs your opinion. Nobody gives a flying shit about your philosophy. Write that in big letters above your desk.
   3. "Brand purpose" is the first hiding place of bad marketers.
   4. Marketing is about probabilities and likelihoods. The likelihood of one can of beer causing extreme damage to a category-leading brand was tiny. But...ya never know.
   5. Social media is millions of unpleasant people looking to make trouble. You've been warned.