Pressure on Anheuser-Busch to End Support for Homophobic UFC

Nevada equality and union activists recently sent a letter to Anheuser-Busch, urging the company to end its sponsorship of the Ultimate Fighting Championship following repeated incidences of antigay animus from athletes and executives.

The letter was addressed to Luiz Fernando Edmond, head of Anheuser-Busch's North American operations. Signed by LGBT activist Cleve Jones, Derek Washington of the Stonewall Democratic Club of Southern Nevada, Geoconda Arguello-Kline of Culinary Workers Union, Local 226, Howard Watts III of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network of Southern Nevada, and Laura Martin of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (UFC's parent company is based in Las Vegas), the letter said it was incongruous for Anheuser-Busch to sponsor gay pride events as well as the UFC.

The letter mentioned specific antigay incidents from players and officials, including a homophobic rant from UFC president Dana White where he dropped the "F word" 34 times. Read the full letter here.