Jun 27
Anheuser-Busch Faces Backlash for Ending PrideFest Sponsorship After Decades of LGBTQ+ Support
READ TIME: 2 MIN.
For three decades, Anheuser-Busch was a key supporter of St. Louis’ PrideFest, the city’s main LGBTQ+ celebration, providing financial backing and public endorsement for one of Missouri’s largest Pride Month events. The company’s involvement was widely seen as an example of corporate allyship, and for years, Bud Light and its parent corporation were highlighted by LGBTQ+ advocates for their visible support of inclusion initiatives and community engagement.
In June 2025, Anheuser-Busch decided not to renew its sponsorship, a move confirmed by St. Louis Public Radio and reported by multiple outlets. The company did not issue a public statement explaining its rationale and did not respond to requests for comment regarding the decision. As a result, St. Louis’ PrideFest organizers were forced to introduce a $10 entry fee for the first time to offset budget shortfalls, directly impacting accessibility for community members.
The withdrawal provoked widespread criticism from LGBTQ+ organizations and community leaders, who described the move as a troubling rollback of corporate support during a period of heightened anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment nationally. Advocates argue that Anheuser-Busch’s decision undermines years of progress in corporate allyship and sends a discouraging message about the reliability of corporate partnerships for crucial community events.
Local activists pointed out the timing of the withdrawal, as other major brands have similarly scaled back or ended Pride-related sponsorships in 2025 in response to mounting anti-DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) pressures in the U.S. According to a recent study, 39% of companies planned to reduce their public engagement with Pride in 2025, representing a significant shift in corporate attitudes from prior years.
Anheuser-Busch’s move comes in the wake of last year’s intense backlash and boycott campaign that followed Bud Light’s partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. That campaign, launched by anti-LGBTQ+ groups, led to a more than $1 billion drop in sales for the company, according to CNN and other sources. At the time, Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth issued a statement saying the company “never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people” .
The events of 2023 have had a chilling effect on corporate willingness to take public stances in support of LGBTQ+ communities. Companies ranging from consulting firms to retail giants have since reevaluated their Pride Month strategies, with several scaling down their sponsorships or removing Pride-themed displays.
Anheuser-Busch’s decision is part of a broader pattern in 2025, as major corporations like Nissan, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Citi have also withdrawn support from high-profile Pride events, citing reviews of marketing efforts or shifting business priorities. The cumulative effect has been a marked decrease in the scale and visibility of corporate-sponsored Pride celebrations across the United States, raising concerns among LGBTQ+ advocates about the erosion of hard-won visibility and support.
Many LGBTQ+ leaders stress that while corporate support can amplify visibility and resources for Pride events, true allyship must be resilient in the face of backlash. Advocates urge businesses to maintain consistent support for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion, regardless of temporary controversy or political pressure. The debate over Anheuser-Busch’s withdrawal highlights the ongoing challenges LGBTQ+ communities face in securing reliable institutional allies, especially as corporate commitments are increasingly scrutinized and politicized.
