The owner of an Orlando bar and grill says he is “disgusted” by Anheuser-Busch for marketing through a transgender activist, claiming the company has partnered with “medical corporations using mind control affirmation techniques to profit from 300,000 alterations of perfectly healthy children.”
Joe Penovich, who owns Grills Lakeside Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar at 4301 N Orange Blossom Trail, published an open letter that he sent to Anheuser-Busch Corporation last week. In his letter, Penovich explains his reasoning for removing Anheuser-Busch products from his shelves, citing the company’s acquisition of transgender spokesperson Dylan Mulvaney.
“I am disgusted by what you have done and what you are doing. You are the one causing this division and anger in our society. You are responsible for making some of the gay community think Grills does not welcome them,” reads the letter.
In the days leading up to the letter, Penovich addressed rumors that his bar had removed Anheuser-Busch products from his shelves. At the time, he cited the beer brewer’s “support of something that is in direct opposition to our Biblical faith,” and indicated that the decision to remove the beer from his restaurant’s shelves was “made with many tears for this circumstance.”
In his letter to the company, Penovich accuses Anheuser-Busch of intentionally pitting groups with differing opinions against each other in an effort to divide the country.
“Your corporation knew the fire storm they would ignite in this country but chose to do it anyway,” reads the letter.
Penovich says his business plans to “eliminate Bud and Bud Light” and “replace it with a locally brewed, much higher quality Pilsner.”
“Grills Restaurants and Sunrise Marina will not co-sponsor or seek endorsement from Anheuser-Busch for any local events, such as fishing and golf tournaments that we have jointly promoted for nearly three decades” reads the statement.
Penovich, who recently made an appearance on Fox News Business, goes on to address the LGBTQ+ community, suggesting his company has “no judgment” for its members or advocates.
“We do love you and all of us have close friends or family who are gay and some who are considering this option. There is no judgment in my heart towards you. Life has dealt us all a different hand. I have no explanation for the pain some have endured. I care about you, and I know it’s been a tough ride for many,” said Penovich. “But I cannot believe surgically altering a human body is the best form of suicide prevention we have available.”
Penovich cited his “Biblical faith” when suggesting there is “something much deeper and darker than bad medical and psychiatric care.”
“Transgenderism is reaching younger and younger children, now under the veil of sports urgency. It does irreversible damage to young bodies before their own minds can make adult decisions about that choice. Nobody should take that right away from a developing child,” reads the letter.
Penovich says he believes there are corporations using “mind control affirmation techniques” to profit from alterations of “perfectly healthy children.”
“That to me is the epitome of evil and Anheuser-Busch Corporation is clearly in partnership with it. I will not align with that in any way,” reads the letter.
Penovich closed his letter by suggesting that his beliefs do not position Mulvaney and the LGBTQ+ community as his enemy.
“Let’s remember, Dylan Mulvaeny and anyone who doesn’t agree with this position is not our enemy,” reads the letter.
Mulvaney was contracted by Anheuser-Busch earlier this year to promote Bud Light during March Madness. After public backlash, the company saw its stock dip briefly, before recovering. Since the beginning of the year, the company’s stock price has increased 10%.
Earlier this month, Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth issued a statement on behalf of the company, indicating that he cares “deeply about this country, this company, our brands, and our partners.”
Over the past week, vice president of marketing Alissa Heinerscheid, who was behind the Mulvaney campaign, and Daniel Blake, who oversees marketing for the company’s brands, have both been placed on leave.