Political donations lead Stonewall Inn to ban certain beers | News from USA®
NEW YORK (AP) – The owners of the Stonewall Inn have said they will not serve certain beers at the famous LGBT bar during the Pride Weekend to protest against maker Anheuser-Busch’s political contributions to some politicians who have supported anti-LGBT legislation.
Co-owners Stacy Lentz and Kurt Kelly said they would institute the ban on Friday in support of the “Keep Your Pride” campaign, a recently launched effort highlighting five companies they say are announcing their support during the Pride , but also contributed to the fight against LGBT lawmakers.
The campaign, a project of Corporate Accountability Action, used data compiled by the National Institute on Money in Politics to show that Anheuser-Busch paid more than $ 35,000 to 29 lawmakers he described as anti-LGBT between 2015 and 2020.
“We just felt Stonewall had the platform, the power to do it, it was important to stand up,” Lentz said. “We really want Anheuser-Busch to stop donating to lawmakers trying to legalize discrimination.”
In a statement, Anheuser-Busch said, “We support candidates for public office whose political positions and goals support investment in our communities, job creation and industry growth.”
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The statement continued, “Together, with our brands, we have a clear role to play in bringing about real change and creating an inclusive and fair world where we cherish and celebrate each other. “
It was during a previous incarnation of the Stonewall Inn in June 1969, when bar patrons clashed with police who had come to carry out a raid, which galvanized gay rights activism in the country and in the world.
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