|
 Sam Adams pulled out of Boston's parade, which takes place on
Sunday, and Heineken yanked its support of the New York City parade,
slated for Monday. Both parades are allowing gay groups to march but
are banning signage about sexual orientation.
Sam Adams made the announcement after coming under pressure from
Club Cafe, a Boston bar patronized by the gay community. The bar
threatened in a Facebook post on Thursday to stop pouring Sam Adams
unless the company withdrew sponsorship.
"We were hopeful that both sides of this issue would be able to come
to an agreement that would allow everyone, regardless of
orientation, to participate in the parade," Jessica Paar, a
spokeswoman for Boston Beer Company, which brews Sam Adams, said in
a statement.
"But given the current status of the negotiations, we realize this
may not be possible."
Gay rights activists praised Heineken's decision.
"Heineken sent the right message to LGBT youth, customers and
employees who simply want to be part of the celebration," Sarah Kate
Ellis, president of gay rights group GLAAD, said in a statement.
A Heineken representative told CNBC on Friday: "We believe in
equality for all. We are no longer a sponsor of Monday's parade."
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In February, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that he
would not be marching in this year's parade in support of the
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Boston Mayor
Martin Walsh has vowed not to attend the parade unless LGBT groups
are allowed to march openly.
(Editing by Barbara Goldberg and Mohammad Zargham)
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