# Is the real Bud Light problem that the right is now insulted because they have been identified as having 'the gay'?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-real-bud-light-problem-that-the-right-is-now-insulted-because-they-have-been-identified-as-having-the-gay/986372>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [June 30, 2023, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-real-bud-light-problem-that-the-right-is-now-insulted-because-they-have-been-identified-as-having-the-gay/986372 "2023-06-30T19:34:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 10

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**Author:** ![EastUmpqua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eastumpqua/32/6025_2.png) [@EastUmpqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EastUmpqua)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-real-bud-light-problem-that-the-right-is-now-insulted-because-they-have-been-identified-as-having-the-gay/986372/181 "2023-07-05T22:18:37Z")

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My two cents: Bud Light’s marketing team opened themselves up to internet memes and jokes. I saw a couple funny videos on this, usually involving rednecks showing the tip of pink panties at the grocery store. I understand wanting to expand to new markets, but don’t dismiss your long-team customer base. I drink Keystone Light so I’m an outsider on this.

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**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-real-bud-light-problem-that-the-right-is-now-insulted-because-they-have-been-identified-as-having-the-gay/986372/182 "2023-07-05T22:21:26Z")

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> [@squeegee](#):
>
> > [@msmith537](#):
> >
> > Is it not?
> 
> A “transvestite” or “crossdresser” is a man dressing as a woman, either as a performance or for their own kink. They’re still a man. A transgender person has transitioned to another gender, and is not an entertainer or doing it because it turns them on. It’s their identity.

Fair enough. But the context of the original quote was meant to be in the style of something simplistic and vaguely ignorant that would get transphobic people all riled up.

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**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-real-bud-light-problem-that-the-right-is-now-insulted-because-they-have-been-identified-as-having-the-gay/986372/183 "2023-07-05T22:29:38Z")

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Moderating:

> [@msmith537](#):
>
> Is it not?

You’ve had this explained to you before, in detail. Your further explanation here:

> [@msmith537](#):
>
> Fair enough. But the context of the original quote was meant to be in the style of something simplistic and vaguely ignorant that would get transphobic people all riled up.

is not a basis to engage in misgendering. On this board, there is never a basis to do that.

Do it again, and you’ll receive a formal warning.

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**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-real-bud-light-problem-that-the-right-is-now-insulted-because-they-have-been-identified-as-having-the-gay/986372/184 "2023-07-05T22:31:36Z")

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> [@EastUmpqua](#):
>
> I understand wanting to expand to new markets, but don’t dismiss your long-team customer base.

But that’s the thing here: How is trying to sell some beer to the LGBTQ community dismissive of Bud Light’s long-term customer base? I am sure they were surprised by this overboard tantrum as much as anyone, but what are companies supposed to do, walk on eggshells every time they want to expand their market into new areas? How was Budweiser supposed to know how poorly their customers would react? Are we just at a place where anything involving LGBTQ people is too touchy for some people?

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**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-real-bud-light-problem-that-the-right-is-now-insulted-because-they-have-been-identified-as-having-the-gay/986372/185 "2023-07-05T22:40:33Z")

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Who the hell is selling Bud Light at $8.99 for 30? Maybe in 1995.

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**Author:** ![EastUmpqua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eastumpqua/32/6025_2.png) [@EastUmpqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EastUmpqua)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-real-bud-light-problem-that-the-right-is-now-insulted-because-they-have-been-identified-as-having-the-gay/986372/186 "2023-07-05T22:44:17Z")

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> [@snowthx](#):
>
> How was Budweiser supposed to know how poorly their customers would react?

Bud light was the traditional 1/2-case of beer you’d bring to a tailgate at a football game or a BBQ, so you don’t look cheap, and most people will drink it. How could they not know how poorly their custom base would react to an internet “influencer” with their face on a can of beer.

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**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-real-bud-light-problem-that-the-right-is-now-insulted-because-they-have-been-identified-as-having-the-gay/986372/187 "2023-07-05T22:44:58Z")

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[Gift link](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/29/business/bud-light-sales.html?unlocked_article_code=qGgKhqpaO5RSt7dO-S9eG_Gx2t0VIXj6Mr87NKXdP9dbWrazTPo0vSp1JOJWuqUfUWwJNZoxUq_5yQ-IGIn2PWkyUlwdJBak7J8nIKv8DW0VtVbDjYDuwfo5FIt3rg01gCnCH4DpUCtjAnmKdiB0GtN3T_FDSqOXB52TjwHFVHaYveVu6s3Gd6U1jLaxfPEkK4fm0-fzbo-tZgQVP_rn5AGBmkwADymoVh1gHcLHb4Td1vZAcwajwdBwbuik1vyURZpmXfbsd0E-MMcyI-bohQljpg3V8w-_AedgWbQnrycxCIREWLbgzJ7QWq1GJjkRv64h7IUf1nU&smid=url-share) to NYT article describing a Pennsylvania store selling thirty packs for $23.99, and there is a $15 rebate. So end cost to consumer is $8.99.

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**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-real-bud-light-problem-that-the-right-is-now-insulted-because-they-have-been-identified-as-having-the-gay/986372/188 "2023-07-05T22:45:12Z")

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> [@EastUmpqua](#):
>
> How could they not know how poorly their custom base would react to an internet “influencer” with their face on a can of beer.

There was a single can that they sent the influencer. One. Nobody who didn’t see the video saw that can.

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**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-real-bud-light-problem-that-the-right-is-now-insulted-because-they-have-been-identified-as-having-the-gay/986372/189 "2023-07-05T22:46:27Z")

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> [@EastUmpqua](#):
>
> How could they not know how poorly their custom base would react to an internet “influencer” with their face on a can of beer.

Again, it was literally a single can, that was sent directly to the influencer. Nobody was seeing cans of beer with her face on them at their local super. Folks who drank Bud light at a tailgate were able to buy precisely the same beer, in precisely the same cans, that they always have.

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**Author:** ![EastUmpqua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eastumpqua/32/6025_2.png) [@EastUmpqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EastUmpqua)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-real-bud-light-problem-that-the-right-is-now-insulted-because-they-have-been-identified-as-having-the-gay/986372/190 "2023-07-05T22:47:41Z")

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> [@squeegee](#):
>
> There was a single can that they sent the influencer. One. Nobody who didn’t see the video saw that can.

I get what you’re saying. This should have been way below the radar. This elevation is kinda scary.

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**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-real-bud-light-problem-that-the-right-is-now-insulted-because-they-have-been-identified-as-having-the-gay/986372/191 "2023-07-05T22:49:12Z")

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Damn. That rebate is like a time machine

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**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-real-bud-light-problem-that-the-right-is-now-insulted-because-they-have-been-identified-as-having-the-gay/986372/192 "2023-07-05T22:50:13Z")

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And even with that low price, people are avoiding the product.

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**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-real-bud-light-problem-that-the-right-is-now-insulted-because-they-have-been-identified-as-having-the-gay/986372/193 "2023-07-05T22:59:17Z")

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> [@squeegee](#):
>
> There was a single can that they sent the influencer. One. Nobody who didn’t see the video saw that can.

It would be pretty naive for a company to think that a promotional item sent to an influencer will only be seen by that influencer’s followers. The nature of social media is that the video is seen by many more people. One way is from people sharing it and the followers of those people see it. Another way is that the social media platform shows it to other people as suggested content. I’m sure Bud Lite was hoping the video would be shared widely, although they were probably hoping for a different reaction.

I’m pretty sure that a similar reaction might happen by the other side if Bud Lite sent promotional cans to influencers of MAGA, Proud Boys, NRA, etc. I would imagine that many liberal drinkers of Bud Lite would switch beers since they might not want to be associated with a company who supports those ideals.

I’m not really surprised by conservatives reaction to Bud Lite, but one thing I don’t really understand is why the same conservatives don’t have a similar reaction to companies who support things like Pride month. Starbucks changes their logo to include a rainbow, but for some reason conservatives don’t seem to mind still getting their coffee there. I’m not sure why Bud Lite is seemingly the only lightening rod for this kind of conservative reaction.

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**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-real-bud-light-problem-that-the-right-is-now-insulted-because-they-have-been-identified-as-having-the-gay/986372/194 "2023-07-05T23:01:01Z")

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This whole thing is just so weird because Bud Light has been promoting itself to the LGBT community for _years_. Every year during June I see ads for Bud with rainbow decorations and lettering and gay-themed ads in publications targeting the gay community.

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**Author:** ![EastUmpqua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eastumpqua/32/6025_2.png) [@EastUmpqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EastUmpqua)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-real-bud-light-problem-that-the-right-is-now-insulted-because-they-have-been-identified-as-having-the-gay/986372/195 "2023-07-05T23:02:48Z")

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> [@Miller](#):
>
> Again,

I don’t really like it when people start a reply to a comment on a thread with ‘Again’. It seems unnecessary. I mean no disrespect.

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**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-real-bud-light-problem-that-the-right-is-now-insulted-because-they-have-been-identified-as-having-the-gay/986372/196 "2023-07-05T23:04:41Z")

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I saw folks saying they were switching to Coors . . . apparently they don’t know about the Coors Light Denver Pride Parade!

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**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-real-bud-light-problem-that-the-right-is-now-insulted-because-they-have-been-identified-as-having-the-gay/986372/197 "2023-07-05T23:08:52Z")

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> [@filmore](#):
>
> Starbucks changes their logo to include a rainbow, but for some reason conservatives don’t seem to mind still getting their coffee there. I’m not sure why Bud Lite is seemingly the only lightening rod for this kind of conservative reaction.

They can come for my coffee, but don’t mess with mah beer!

Hey, maybe we can get one of the gun manufacturers to sponsor a Pride event, complete with members of the LGBTQ community at the shooting range. Do you think the rightward offenderati would boycott that gun company?

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**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-real-bud-light-problem-that-the-right-is-now-insulted-because-they-have-been-identified-as-having-the-gay/986372/198 "2023-07-05T23:11:07Z")

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> [@filmore](#):
>
> I’m pretty sure that a similar reaction might happen by the other side if Bud Lite sent promotional cans to influencers of MAGA, Proud Boys, NRA, etc.

You’re comparing “being queer” to being in a literal hate group.

Might want to think about where you went wrong there.

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**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-real-bud-light-problem-that-the-right-is-now-insulted-because-they-have-been-identified-as-having-the-gay/986372/199 "2023-07-05T23:16:31Z")

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The drive to wedge one’s self into the both-sides position is quite strong.

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**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-real-bud-light-problem-that-the-right-is-now-insulted-because-they-have-been-identified-as-having-the-gay/986372/200 "2023-07-05T23:49:06Z")

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Spiteful morons. Oh well. I really wonder how much is true and how much is just patches of lower sales in certain areas. And how many people follow through with rebates anyway. I usually don’t unless it’s a point-of-sale discount. I don’t know quite what to believe or make of this. I guess it doesn’t matter, as I don’t drink anymore, and when I did, Bud Light was at the bottom of the barrel for me, anyway.

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