Sam Adams Beer Pulls Out Of Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade Over LGBT Issues

[DonViejo]

Source: TPM

ERIC LACH – MARCH 14, 2014, 11:31 AM EDT

The Boston-based company behind the Sam Adams beer brand on Friday announced it would not participate in this weekend's annual South Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade.

The decision followed the breakdown of negotiations between the event organizers and a group of gay military veterans who wanted to march in the parade.

"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," the Boston Beer Company said in a statement. "But given the current status of the negotiations, we realize this may not be possible."

The company's statement was released by MassEquality, the group which had filed an application with the parade to allow 20 members of LGBT [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender] Veterans for Equality to march, according to The Boston Globe.

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/sam-adams-st-patricks-parade

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[eShirl]

1. Excellent.

[malthaussen]

2. Good for them.

Some of their beer's not bad, either.

-- Mal

[KansDem]

3. Sam Adams is my brand of beer!

Has been for years and will continue to be for years to come!

And I'm going to send them an email telling them so and why...

[George II]

4. I'm not crazy about their beer, but now I may be "forced" to drink it!

[tofuandbeer]

5. Cheers to Sam Adams!

[Historic NY]

6. Love Sam Adams...

its great micro-brew. I switch to it when I'm away from our local brewery.

[Brigid]

7. The comments are hilarious.

"This is a good outcome, because no gay person has ever marched in a Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade. Ever. Not one. You can look it up!" -- CharlieE

[HubertHeaver]

19. They were always out-of-step?

[happyslug]

33. That is NOT what is reported in the Boston Globe:

In recent weeks, Walsh tried to broker a deal between MassEquality and parade organizers to end a controversy that has festered for two decades. He succeeded in getting parade organizers to invite MassEquality to allow 20 gay veterans who are members of the group LGBT [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender] Veterans for Equality to march in the parade.

But the offer came with the condition that members refrain from making any reference to sexual orientation during the parade.

The parade sponsor, backed by a Supreme Court ruling, has said that gays and lesbians have always been allowed to participate and that any form of political activism is banned to maintain the spirit of the parade. MassEquality rejected the condition that its group not march as openly gay veterans.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/03/12/gay-veterans-push-back-against-organizers-patrick-day-parade/pcHlEjFzlLk14UeDZuxyRL/story.html

So an invitation was made, but on the condition that they do NOT mention sexual orientation. Thus they were offered the right to march with their name of their organization in front of them, but with the provision that they sexual orientation NOT be mentioned.

I hate to say this, the veterans who RUN the parade seems to have tried to come up with a compromise, but MassEquality does not want to compromise. To get you must often give and I just do not see any give by MassEquality. Now MassEquality MAY viewed the propose compromise as less then what the veterans could give, but does MassEquality willing to give up to show they are willing to address the concerns of the Veterans who run the parade?

It almost sounds like the Veterans were told they had to give in, but no such request was made to MassEquality. That is a recipe for failure and it failed. I have done negotiations and you have to be willing to address the concerns of the other side. You may reject those concerns, but that does not mean you can just ignore them. The more I read about this situation is MassEquality keeps on dismissing the concerns of the Veterans. I would say the same about the Veterans, but they appear to have MADE AN OFFER TO MassEquality, but with a condition MassEquality rejected.

My advice to MassEquality would have been to accept the offer with the restriction and March. Once in the parade you can expand what is permitted in coming years as the Veterans see you are NOT a harm to their parade. I suspect MassEquality wants in all now, and the Veterans are NOT willing to do that at the present time.

Remember the old rule of marketing, your customer's problems are also your problems. Thus the problems the Veterans have with having MassEquality in their parade in also a problem for MassEquality. The same with the Veterans. the problems of MassEquality as to conditions are also a problem for the Veterans. People have to work together and that does NOT mean I win, you lose, it means we work something out that works, even of both of us dislike it for different reasons.

As I said earlier, from reading the report of the Boston Globe I would blame MassEquality, for at least the Veterans did give in on the issue of them actually being in the parade. That was a huge change for the Veterans. MassEquality should have accepted offer with the the restriction and March, just to show the concerns of the Veterans are unfounded. Remember that offer AND acceptance could be grounds to expand later on, but sometime people need to go slow, and the offer with its restriction, while a small step is still a step.

[Brigid]

46. I think CharlieE is being sarcastic.

[yardwork]

63. The point is being allowed to participate as a gay person.

I may not be understanding your point. It sounds like you are saying that any gay person can march, as long as they pretend to be straight. Is that what you meant to say?

[happyslug]

65. It is called the nose of the camel in the tent

If you have a problem jning a grop (liek this parade) yu have to get in. Thus if there is resistence to your joining the larger group, if first get in under any restriction, for thus you are in. Once in that is over half the battle. You have to understand that fact of HUMAN NATURE. People wil accept people they previusly opposed once they interact with them, thus get in the parade, under any reasonable restrictions and then slowly work to remove those restrictions. This may takes years, but the first step is to get in the parade.

[yardwork]

70. Um, no. Not in this case.

It doesn't move anything forward to pretend to be straight. Either participants are allowed to be openly gay or not. There's no halfway in this instance.

[happyslug]

71. Who said to pretend to be straight?

All I say is comply with the restriction, the name of the organization is sufficient to show what they stand for. You can NOT expect the people who are organizing the Parade to bend to much, but they did bend enough to at least make an offer for the group to March in the Parade. If you expect more then that AS THE FIRST STEP you are expecting to much. Take what is given and run with it.

If any group that wants to march in this parade wants to build up confidence between that group and the veteran group hosting the Parade, the group wanting in first should show it will least are willing to address the concern of that host. They group wanting to march may reject those concerns, but they still have to at least make an effort to show they are willing to address those concerns.

Remember, once the group starts to March in the Parade, it can show it will comply with the concerns of the hosts of the parade.

[yardwork]

72. They weren't allowed to hold a sign stating the name of their group

That's the point. They are a gay veteran's organization and they weren't allowed to hold a sign saying "gay."

[happyslug]

74. That I did not hear, but is it important?

Saying they are "gay" may be important to the marchers, but is is really important to the issue of marching? Sometimes you have to swallow your pride, and just march under your own NAME, which does NOT include the word "Gay" in it. In many ways getting to march is more important then getting your entire message out. In this case advice is march under their name and show they will NOT cause the problems the organizers of the parade fear. Baby steps are always first, you do not expect the organizers to accept this group with open arms at first, instead you go with baby steps, comply with the organizers concerns and march under their own name. A name the organizers accepted this gay group could use.

[yardwork]

75. You really don't get it. /nt

[happyslug]

76. I have been fighting wrongs all my life

And one of the thing I have learned, is it is better to UNDERMINE something, then to fight it. Your position of that host group must SUBMIT to your demand, is a sure way to defeat. You are acting like someone who is offended when a cat gets its back up when they approach the cat, and then kicks the cat for not purring. All that does is to make the cat even more defensive and with an arch back.

My position is to show the cat you mean them no harm, and once that is established, to slowly work to petting the cat. In doing so, you must understand why the cat's back in up and why the Cat is hissing and to address those reactions. Attacking the cat will NOT do that. The same with this parade, the group has to show it will cause NO harm to the host, thus addressing they concerns, then work to expand what they can do.

Famous observation, do NOT approach a cat that is hissing, or a dog that is growling, but address why both are doing what they are doing. Once the concerns of the dog or cat is addressed and they fear you no more, then you can approach them and even pet them. Your policy is the same as hitting a cat for hissing, or a dog from growing. Such actions will NOT end the hissing or the growling, in fact will increase both actions.

On the other hand stopping and showing the cat or dog you mean no harm, addresses their concern and they will stop hissing and growling. After a little longer they may even permit your to pet them. People are the same, do NOT do anything that increases their concerns, address those concerns, work with them on those concerns. Get into the parade and show that you understand them and are willing to work with them. Once it is shown you are willing to work with them, they will slowly come around to working with you. It is a two way street, you have to give to get, and as far as I have seen, the gay veteran group has made demands, but given little to the concerns of the host of the parade. As I said before, rejecting those concerns is NOT addressing them, and thus some give has to be given.

The key is once in the parade, the concerns as to harms can be shown to be unreal, but as long as the concerns are not at least addressed, the host will ban gay groups from participating in the parade. The first step is to get into the parade and show you can work with the hosts and the concerns of the hosts. Once you are in, you can then expand what you can do by first showing that the concerns are not real and that expanding what can be done will cause no harm. It is a step by step plan, like a baby learning to walk, one small step leads to more steps and soon the baby is walking like an adult. The same with this parade, the sooner the group gets into the parade, the sooner they can expand what they can do. Fighting to do more then what the hosts will permit is just a losing battle. Undermine those concerns by showing you can work with the restrictions thus showing you can work with the hosts. Fighting for everything is a sure way to defeat (given the rulings of the Courts) so undermine the hosts by showing you will comply with their concerns.

[Kablooie]

8. But Miller Light is still parading around.

And calling itself "beer".

[yurbud]

14. If you could make the can into a liquid and add a touch of formaldehyde...

it would taste about the same as the beer that goes in it.

[yurbud]

15. some woman thought her husband's miller light was making him fat, so she poured some into a

specimen cup and sent it to a lab to be analyzed without saying what it said.

When the results came back it read, "Your horse has diabetes."

[DeSwiss]

59. "Your horse has diabetes."

- Thank you!!!

[sir pball]

9. Yay! I can keep drinking it!

Boston Lager isn't the best, but it's a reliably drinkable beer that's thankfully available almost everywhere...but their seasonals, specially Summer Ale...

[mike dub]

10. and I was just ruminating on what beer I'm going to buy for the weekend

It'll be Sam Adams, for sure!

[albino65]

11. Just what I needed...

an excuse to drink more beer!

[yurbud]

12. they should give a free beer to anyone willing to shout, "I'm Irish and I'm gay!"

[awoke_in_2003]

55. Hmmm, I am neither...

but I wouldn't let such a thing stop me when it comes to free Sam Adams.

[yurbud]

56. exactly. there would be a lot more gays if there was free beer in it.

[awoke_in_2003]

57. Well, one thing I just thought about...

gay also means happy. Free beer makes me happy. Free beer then must make me gay.

[MissMillie]

13. It's a great beer!

And it's nice to see they're a great company

[uppityperson]

16. Good. k&r

[DinahMoeHum]

17. Love their seasonal 12-packs.

Love their stand on this issue as well.

[BlueJac]

18. Good for you......

good beer.

[Paladin]

20. Glad to hear it. I wouldn't want to give up drinking Sam Adams brews.

And what's with this LGBT prejudice in Boston? I've been informed by all manner of self-satisfied Yankees here at DU that my state of Texas is where that sort of thing goes on......

[Bluenorthwest]

64. Homophobia exists everywhere. The parade is organized by a religious group.

In MA, in Boston, I can not only marry but I am protected from discrimination in employment and in housing. In Texas, no marriage and even worse no legal protection from openly stated discrimination in housing and employment, people can be and are evicted for being gay just like this 'we found out you are gay and we don't rent to gays'.
So the facts are what the facts are. When you are not personally a target of such prejudices, they strike you as fun time fodder for claiming your State gets a bad rap. MA is far, far more LGBT friendly than Texas in the law and that matters. If you want bragging rights, go obtain basic rights for others in Texas!

[Paladin]

67. Have a beer, light up a cigarette. Was it good for you? (nt)

[africanadian]

21. I tried Sam Adams once

AWFUL!

[MADem]

25. Most people would not agree with you.

It's one of the most popular brands in New England.

[africanadian]

27. Give me a cold Labatt anyday!

[AAO]

58. And they have such a great variety of beers

The only thing I see much in WI is the lager, which is good for it's style, but I would love to go to the brewery for a taste of all their beers!

[ForgoTheConsequence]

28. They brew a multitude of beers.

And have won tons of competitions, in fact I believe they have won more than any other brewery. Enjoy your Molson swill, I'll be enjoying their barrel aged stout.

[Tribalceltic]

43. With all due respect

.. I believe you have been spoiled by the availability of some wonderful beers.

In the '80s my bil and I used to make regular runs to Canada to pick up the allowable allotment of Molson Bradors. 800 miles round trip. Overnight in a tent on Lake Ontario once with winds over 50MPH.

good times

[alfredo]

49. If you like Pilsners you will find their Noble Pils very drinkable.

I'm more of a Founders, Great Lakes, Sierra Nevada type of guy. Great Lakes makes a very nice Dortmunder, Dortmunder Gold.

[SoapBox]

22. Oh!

Bravo...

[Jokerman]

23. I may have to give that brand another chance.

I've never been a fan of most of their beers but I just became a fan of the company.

[MADem]

24. Maybe they need to get a permit and throw their OWN parade....I think a lot of people would attend.

I'll bet the May-ah would MAAAAH-ch in it, too....

[JustAnotherGen]

26. That was lovely of them

To do. Good on them!

[Behind the Aegis]

29. I feel like a Sam Adams!

[Agschmid]

30. Woohoo! I'll go buy some!

[KamaAina]

31. I remember the time the Supreme Judicial Court told them they had to let LGBT people march

because under Massachusetts law, the parade was a public accommodation.

So what did they do? They canceled the whole parade.

That meant that for that year, New Haven's St. Paddy's Day parade, normally a distant second, was the largest in New England. And wouldn't you know, it snowed during the week. So we had to stand there in ankle-deep yuk and freeze our bippies off.

Given that, how, you might ask, are they able to get away with this?

The parade organizers invited the LGBT Veterans for Equality members to march in the parade, but on the condition that they not make any reference to their sexual orientation during the parade. MassEquality rejected the condition.

So they can march, but must do so anonymously.

[nobodyspecial]

35. It's the new "Just march, don't tell" parade policy

Are they making any other group not display the name?

[JudyM]

40. ha! nt

[Ohio Joe]

32. Good

Equality Now is an excellent principal to stand by.

[Borchkins]

34. Yippeeeee!

Good for Boston Beer.
B

[Warpy]

36. Good for them

They make a decent commercial beer, too.

The reason for the flapdoodle is a bunch of wingers in Southie who have brown nosed their way into the planning committee. They're fine with having the parade led by a bunch of Italian politicians (who look like hell in green). They're just terrified gay vets will show up in full drag.

Stupid asses. I hate conservatives. They screw everything up.

(and yeah, it was basically the same type running things when I left over 20 years ago)

[charlives]

37. Sam Beer Tonight!!!

Loves that Sam!!!

[Mustellus]

38. South Boston is an ethnic Irish neighborhood separated from the Black neighborhood....

by a canal and two blocks that were called the Death Strip when I lived there. I went to a St. Patrick's day parade there in the 1970's... it was the Budweiser Clydesdales and 15 racist local politician floats.. with a few IRA ones thrown in. I never went back for a second parade there.

Good for Sam Adams.

[TlalocW]

39. Good for them

I still prefer Sam Jackson beer. "IT WILL GET YOU DRUNK!!!"

TlalocW

[shenmue]

41. Peace through beer

Urp. I love everybody!

[Scootaloo]

42. Awesome, but I'll stick with Deschutes for my sparse beer needs :)

[Cha]

44. Good on Sam Adams! Thanks Don~

[TRoN33]

45. Oh yeah...

I'll drink to that, Sam Adams. I'm an avid drinker of their brands. Oktoberfest is the best!

[SaveOurDemocracy]

50. YESSSSSSSSS ... Oktoberfest is my favorite too!!

For those beer lovers who also watch calories ... Sam Adams Light is the best, most flavorful IMO. Doesn't taste watered down. Give it a try!

[idendoit]

47. I used to anticipate that Summer Ale so much!

Those Grains of Paradise....

[alfredo]

48. Their Noble Pils is not bad at all. It's a good Pilsner. I'm glad they are

standing up for equality.

[baldguy]

51. I've always wondered: How did Boston's parade get held hostage by a tiny group of bigots?

[Trajan]

52. I'm still not interested in drinking their beer

Though I do appreciate the gesture ...

Sam Adams is still mass produced product, and it still doesn't match up to the quality one will find at the thousands of small craft breweries that now exist across the country ..

Support LOCAL breweries, and stop giving your money to ridiculously rich multinational corporations ..

Says a resident of Beervana ....

[Doctor_J]

53. my favorite domestic. I thought Jim Koch was a repuke though

[ForgoTheConsequence]

69. His donations have all been to Democrats.

Same with his dad. Unfortunately he has to carry around that Koch name.

[awoke_in_2003]

54. I think I will buy a six pack...

to enjoy while grilling T bones on Sunday. Good on them.

[Enthusiast]

60. Far right wing assholes are exerting pressure all over the nation.

Good for Sam Adams.

The Fascists don't want "the people" to realize the contributions gays have made to the military.

See, it's always something the righties don't want you to know.

[Android3.14]

61. A toast to Sam Adams!

When I'm out on the town, that's my brand.

[sendero]

62. I love beer..

... but even though I can tell Sam Adams is a good beer, it is too "hoppy" (bitter) for my tastes. Give me a Bass Ale or a half and half.

That said I will buy some Sam Adams and work my way through it in honor of their public stance!

[Beacool]

66. I'm about to go to the supermarket.

Now I feel obligated to buy a pack of Sam Adams'. Damn, I also have to buy some Girl Scout cookies (if I can find them). This is a conspiracy to make me gain weight. Do cookies and beer go together?

[closeupready]

68. Glad to hear this. Always liked their beer, anyway. This

simply makes me like them even more. Now I don't have to feel so guilty about drinking a high-carb beverage, lol. K&R

[Beach Rat]

73. I hope there is a boycott of Sam Adams!

More for me! I had a Sam Cold Snap Saturday night. It was really good. With beer comes the power to change the world.