The country’s largest advocacy group for LGBTQ+ rights is calling on Anheuser-Busch to show “solidarity” with the transgender community amid backlash over his Bud Light partnership with TikToker Dylan Mulvaney.
“In the face of anti-LGBTQ+ and transphobic criticism, Anheuser-Busch’s actions demonstrate a profound lack of steadfastness in upholding its values of diversity, equity and inclusion,” wrote HRC Senior Vice President Jay Brown.
“Not only does this lend credibility to hateful rhetoric, but it exposes Anheuser-Busch to long-term business implications as employees and customers increasingly seek an unwavering commitment to LGBTQ+ corporate citizenship.”
The letter added that HRC appears to be falling 100% score from Anheuser-Busch on the Corporate Equality Index, which rates companies on criteria such as “supporting an inclusive culture & corporate social responsibility”.
The message comes as sales — and pours — by Bud Light beer have reportedly dove into this month’s controversy.
In a TikTok video posted this week, Mulvaney broke her silence on the right-wing firestorm, which included musician Kid Rock, who shot Bud Light cans in a viral video, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R- Ga.), who boycotted the beer in favor of Coors Light (despite the the latter brand is also committed to support for the LGBTQ+ community).
“What I find difficult to understand is the need to dehumanize and be cruel.” said Mulvaney. “Dehumanization has never fixed anything in history.”
Anheuser-Busch did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment on HRC’s letter.