Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev)
Corprate Bias Ratings
Risk Level:
Summary:
AB InBev vets vendors according to LGBTQ policies, is part of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media, and does not protect its employees against viewpoint discrimination. However, the company has not publicly terminated business relationships based on views or beliefs. AB InBev covers the cost of "medically necessary transition-related care” for its employees and their children and has internally promoted critical race theory training. AB InBev and its subsidiaries have pledged support to BLM and related causes. The Anheuser Busch foundation and Bud Light are corporate partners of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce and Bud Light has sponsored a transgender influencer. AB InBev has embraced ESG, DEI, and external advocacy groups to promote ideological agendas. However, the company does not use its PAC contributions for ideological purposes. For these reasons, AB InBev receives a High Risk rating.
Has denied service to customers, suppliers, or vendors due to their political views or religious beliefs OR corporately boycotts, divests, or sanctions regions, people groups, or industries.
AB InBev is a member of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media, which aims to demonetize advertisements and suppress content that “vilifies” individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity, discusses “debated social issues in a negative or partisan context” or spreads “hate speech” (1)(2)(3). In April 2023, America First Legal filed a Civil Rights lawsuit against AB InBev for illegal, racist, and sexist hiring practices (4). The company received a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index. This means the company has a written policy pledging to vet vendors for LGBTQ policies (5)(6).
Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.
Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.
AB InBev does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees (1).
Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.
AB InBev has internally promoted critical race and gender theories through partnerships with educational groups (1). The company created a global DEI council to “execute” its DEI priorities and formed external partnerships with groups that promote diversity pledges in the workplace. It is committed to carbon neutrality by 2040 (2)(3). AB InBev’s CEO signed the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge, which includes a commitment to promote DEI through bias education training in the workplace (4).
Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.
AB InBev has a perfect score on the HRC’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index. This score indicates the company covers the cost of “medically necessary transition-related care” for its employees and their children (1)(2). AB InBev is a member of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (3)(4)(5). The Anheuser Busch Foundation and Bud Light are corporate partners of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce to which Bud Light donated $200,000 in 2022 (6)(7). In April of 2023, Bud Light sponsored a transgender influencer, drawing criticism from its consumers and distributors (8). Despite intense backlash, Bud Light subsequently sponsored 3 LGBT pride parades (9)(10). The company and its subsidiaries pledged support to BLM and related causes (11)(12)(13). Michelob Ultra pledged $100 million toward gender equality in sports, including the sponsorship of transgender athletes (14). In the past AB InBev has sponsored Planned Parenthood fundraisers, though there are no records indicating the company has done so recently (15).
All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
November 1, 2023
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