The Human Rights Campaign suspends Bud Light maker’s top score, criticising its response to the transphobic uproar following its partnership with Dylan Mulvaney.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the largest LGBTQ+ rights organisation in the United States, has put Anheuser-Busch’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI) score on hold due to the company’s handling of the backlash it faced after collaborating with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
On May 9, the HRC informed Anheuser-Busch that it had suspended the company’s perfect 100 CEI score from 2022, which is used to assess corporate policies and benefits for LGBTQ+ employees. This suspension means that Anheuser-Busch no longer qualifies for the “Best Places to Work” distinction.
The controversy erupted in early April when Mulvaney posted a video of herself celebrating a Bud Light contest on Instagram, sparking a wave of criticism from conservative figures, including musician Kid Rock, who filmed himself shooting cases of Bud Light. Sales of the beer brand dipped, and two marketing executives at Anheuser-Busch took a leave of absence.
Despite CEO Brendan Whitworth’s statement on April 14, in which he stressed the company’s intention to unite people, no clear support for Mulvaney or a direct response to the transphobic backlash was expressed. HRC’s senior director, Eric Bloem, emphasised that a business must stand by its inclusive marketing decisions, rather than retreat in the face of criticism.
In an April 26 letter, HRC called on Anheuser-Busch to publicly support Mulvaney and its LGBTQ+ employees and shareholders, as well as to engage in a dialogue about workplace inclusion. However, after receiving no response, the HRC moved to suspend the company’s CEI score.
Despite this suspension, Anheuser-Busch reiterated its commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community through its longstanding partnerships. Meanwhile, Mulvaney, who had remained silent for weeks, posted a message on social media thanking her supporters.
The HRC has stated that it is eager to engage with the company to ensure it reaffirms its commitment to the LGBTQ+ community.
