Bud Light is reportedly making a $200,000 donation to the National LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) in support of “economic opportunities and advancements for LGBTQ+ Americans,” according to an Anheuser-Busch press release.
The embattled beverage company suffered massive losses after being boycotted following its partnership with transgender TikTok influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
But despite the company’s losses, Anheuser-Busch released a statement Monday, saying that it was “extending [its] partnership” with NGLCC by donating $200,000 0 to the Communities of Color Initiative (CoCi) and the CoCi Biz Pitch program.
Pure insanity!
“This year, Bud Light will donate $200,000 to the NGLCC in support of its Communities of Color Initiative (CoCi),” the press release read.
“This initiative is designed to support the growth and success of minority LGBTQ+-owned businesses through certification, scholarships, and business development in an effort to create equal opportunities for the economic advancement of small businesses in the LGBTQ+ community.”
“The brand will also be supporting NGLCC’s first-ever CoCi Biz Pitch program, where the winning minority LGBTQ+ business owner will receive $5,000 and have the chance to go on to compete at the 2023 NGLCC International Business & Leadership Conference LGBT Biz Pitch Competition for $50,000 in cash and prizes.”
Anheuser-Busch lauded its 20 years of “advancing LGBTQ equality” and its “strong” relationship with the LGBT community.
The company recently resorted to offering free beer to make amends for the partnership with Mulvaney, and even that’s not working.
“We’re honored to continue our partnership with Bud Light in support of LGBTQ+ businesses,” NGLCC said in the press release.
“We appreciate the brand’s ongoing efforts to bolster our Communities of Color Initiative that empowers and supports both minority LGBTQ+ business owners and entrepreneurs, as well as the vital roles they play in communities across the United States.”
Earlier this month, BudLight announced it would sponsor several Pride events across the U.S. despite Anheuser-Busch InBev’s market value plummeting to $15.7 billion.
According to a report from The Daily Wire, “in St. Louis, Missouri, where Anheuser-Busch is headquartered, the company is listed as the presenting sponsor of the St. Louis Pride Parade. A sponsorship packet explains that there are only four’ presenting sponsor’ slots available. The ‘Rainbow’ sponsorship tier, located below the ‘presenting sponsor’ tier, requires entities to pay $25,000.”
“In Columbus, Bud Light is listed as a ‘Diamond Sponsor’ for the city’s upcoming pride parade,” the report adds. “According to a document from Stonewall Columbus — which ‘organizes and hosts’ the ‘annual’ event — companies are required to donate $20,000 to the organization in order to become ‘Diamond’ sponsors.”
WATCH: Bud Light Ad from 1994 Shows How Far the Beer Company Has Fallen
