Chicago LGBTQ+ bars drop Anheuser-Busch products over transgender influencer controevrsy

for weeks and hyzer bush in Bev has faced major backlash from people who say they are offended by a recent social media campaign starring a transgender influencer. Sales of the beer dropped more than 20% in one week. Well tonight members of the LGBTQ plus community now say they too are upset with the company. Our Charlie DeMar joins us now live in Andersonville with that story Charlie. And Joe and Erica, good evening. It is a beautiful night here in Andersonville and there are a lot of people at the social tap on their patio tonight, but don't try ordering a 312 or a Bud Light. That's because the owners here have removed all Anheuser bush in Bev products from all four of their locations.

So this is where we would have had Bud Light and Bush Light. The fridge where Bud Light cans were once stacked deep now sits empty. This tap handle would have been Guse Island 312. It's empty for the time being. The 312 tap will also throw out this week. Sounds like it was a pretty easy decision. Oh, it was absolutely easy decision.

Yes, they kept redoubling their efforts to bow down to those who were spewing hate. Mark Robertson co owns two bears Tavern Group, which runs for LGBTQ plus friendly bars on the north side. He's made the decision to throw out all Anheuser bush in Bev products after he says the beer giant distance itself from transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney and Bud Light sent me possibly the best gift ever. A can with my face on it. Mulvaney's post sparked outrage and some hate. Kid Rock posted this video shooting cans of Bud Light as he vowed to boycott the beer, but as recently as Thursday during the company's earnings call, a top executive said, we need to clarify the facts that this was one of the best things that happened. We're saying is you cannot erase our community.

You cannot put part of our community, particularly the tea in danger and think we're going to continue to give you our money. So we remove the products. Side track in the north Halstead neighborhood, also making the decision to ditch Anheuser bush products. I think it's we should have pulled all of them along with other bars like sidetrack. Who has also pulled the product and more to come anytime you give hate a platform. You're giving them some credence that what they're saying is the correct answer. Now next month is the pride parade and the owner of the Sofo tap points out that Bud Light has historically been a major sponsor of the event event rather and he asked that organizers this year be mindful of who sponsors this year's event as they finalize those sponsors reporting live tonight in Andersonville, Charlie tomorrow CBS 2 news Joe Erica.

All right, Charlie. Thank you.

CBS 2 News Evening, LGBTQ+, Bud Light, Anheuser-Busch, Transgender Community, Dylan Mulvaney, The SoFo Tap, Charlie De Mar