Conservatives Dig Up Old LGBTQ+ Campaigns After Bud Light Boycott Success
Ford.Bud Light, via its partnership with transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney, drew widespread attention and negative publicity for the brand's parent company, Anheuser-Busch, leading to top executives taking leaves of absence and drastic drops in sales.Ford was mentioned on Twitter due to an ad that was resurrected by online users relating to the "Very Gay Raptor" that was initially introduced in the United Kingdom in June 2022.A press release issued by the company ahead of the vehicle's appearance at the Goodwill Festival of Speed stated that its inclusion aimed to reaffirm the brand's "long-term commitment to LGBTQ+ allyship vehicle," adding that it "will be used to further initiate important discussions and aimed at driving out discrimination in the automotive industry, and beyond.""Ford was arguably the most American manufacturer in our history," one Twitter user wrote, vowing to never buy vehicles from the brand again while also avoiding other companies aligned with the 'woke' movement. "Now bending the knee to Communist ESG scores.""Ford released this ad just in time for gay pride month!!!!" another user tweeted. "Thank goodness I don't drive a Ford!!!""Ford: How to destroy 120 years of American car history in one minute," said another tweet. "I'm so sick of woke companies."Other recent online backlashes have taken place against the following companies:Joanna Schwartz, marketing professor at Georgia College & State University, told Newsweek via email that there's a relationship between the legislation that is occurring nationwide and these various calls for boycotts.According to the Trans Legislation Tracker, which monitors and continually updates the number of anti-trans bills being introduced across state.
