Miller Brewing Company's Community Support

I came across a page on Miller's website that is jaw-droppingly hypocritical.

Miller professes to be a company interested in building strong communities here.

"Ultimately, there can be no choice between doing the right thing for the company and the right thing for society."

WHAT A LOAD!

Then again, maybe Miller isn't being hypocritical. Perhaps the company believes bigotry is the right thing for society.

Great beer and strong communities — Miller Brewing Company has been a leader in both for more than 150 years. We continue that legacy today as a key employer with six breweries providing economic and community benefits to our hometowns around the country: Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Irwindale, California; Albany, Georgia; Trenton, Ohio, Eden, North Carolina and Fort Worth, Texas.

From the millions we invest in community initiatives to the taxes we pay and local goods and services we purchase, Miller is connected to the people and economies that make our communities strong.

At the heart of our community spirit is Miller REACH®, the program that establishes the focus and standards for our corporate social investments. Miller REACH® aligns our community support with five focus areas of shared importance to the community and to Miller: Responsibility, Employment, AIDS/HIV, Cultural Diversity and Heritage Initiatives.

Responsibility: Miller REACH® investments support community-based initiatives to help prevent underage drinking and youth access to alcohol, promote responsible decision-making and prevent drunk driving.

Employment: To support employment priorities, Miller REACH® investments are devoted to initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, job creation and job training.

AIDS/HIV: Miller REACH® supports life-saving efforts by investing in community-based organizations that provide services from AIDS/HIV awareness and counseling to treatment.

Cultural Diversity: Miller REACH® supports and partners with organizations that celebrate our country's cultural differences and work on issues important to advancing diversity.

Heritage Initiatives: Miller REACH® supports long-standing cultural, ethnic and festive experiences that enrich our communities and positively impact our business.

Does the Folsom Street Fair fall under Miller's commitment to cultural diversity?

Does Tom Long, President and Chief Executive Officer of Miller Brewing Company, think an event that uses disparaging images of Christianity in its promotions conveys a commitment to diversity?

I think it's unconscionable.

We live and work in a diverse nation, where a wide range of ethnic, cultural and other differences enrich our communities, businesses and experiences. Cultural diversity can be one of this country's greatest strengths, reflecting democracy and fueling the entrepreneurial spirit.

Miller REACH® supports and partners with organizations that celebrate our country's cultural differences and work on issues important to advancing diversity. Miller is a founding corporate sponsor of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and ¡Adelante! U.S. Education Leadership Fund, which each honor deserving students with college scholarships. For more information on these two programs, click on the links below.

Thurgood Marshall College Fund
Adelante

That's nice. Miller promotes diversity. Way to go!

So why does Miller slap Christians in the face by sponsoring an event that openly mocks the faith with a disgusting poster that depicts a leather version of The Last Supper?

Why the tolerance for bigotry aimed at Christians?

In my opinion, this news release doesn't go nearly far enough to redeem Miller.

Statement Regarding Folsom Street Fair

While Miller has supported the Folsom Street Fair for several years, we take exception to the poster the organizing committee developed this year. We understand some individuals may find the imagery offensive and we have asked the organizers to remove our logo from the poster effective immediately.

What's particularly disturbing is that the leaders at Miller are willing to bend over backwards to keep from offending extremists within the LGBT community, but they have no problem with offending Christians.

I'm waiting for Miller to issue an apology to its loyal consumers. That includes Christians within the LGBT community. At this point, an apology doesn't seem to be in the works.

OK. Miller can sponsor an openly bigoted event.

And I, a consumer of Miller products, will no longer support Miller.

I will not buy Miller anymore.

Will that make a difference? I'm just one person.

That's beside the point. It matters to me. I, in good conscience, cannot support a company that knowingly supports such bigotry.
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Tell Miller what you think.

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