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Celebrating diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice within the craft beer community
Celebrating diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice within the craft beer community
Beer

Collective Objection Letter to the Brewers Association

Beer is for Everyone
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June 14, 2023
4 Mins read
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Collective Objection Letter to the Brewers Association

Signed by 1,749 members of the craft beer community

Dear Brewers Association,

 

We are writing to express our deep disappointment in your organization’s failure to address the anti-trans legislative climate in Tennessee while the Craft Brewers Conference was being held in Nashville. As members of the brewing community and of the LGBTQIAA2S+ community, we find it unacceptable that your organization has remained silent on this issue.

 

Tennessee recently passed a law that prohibits male and female impersonators of “prurient interests” from performing on public property or in front of children, which is a “subtle and sinister way to further criminalize just being trans” or gender non-conforming (LGBT Nation, 2023). This is a direct attack on the rights of trans individuals and sends a message that they are not valued or respected in our society. This law discriminates against the very existence of our trans and non-binary community; it also perpetuates harmful stereotypes and contributes to a culture of exclusion and intolerance.

 

As a national organization representing over 5,400 small and independent craft brewers, the Brewers Association has a responsibility to take a stand against discrimination and advocate for inclusivity in all aspects of the brewing industry. By failing to address this issue, the Brewers Association is sending a message that it is not committed to promoting equality and social justice.

 

Furthermore, the Brewers Association’s silence on this issue is particularly concerning, given the significant economic impact of the brewing industry in Tennessee. According to the Brewers Association’s 2022 State Economic Impact Report, the craft brewing industry in Tennessee contributes over $1.3 billion to the state’s economy and supports over 154 craft breweries. As a major player in the industry, the Brewers Association has the power and influence to make a meaningful difference in the lives of trans individuals and the wider community.

 

We urge the Brewers Association to take immediate action to address the anti-trans, anti-LGBTQIAA2S+, and anti-drag legislation in Tennessee and to publicly condemn all forms of discrimination and bigotry. This should include issuing a statement condemning the law, reaching out to Tennessee lawmakers to express your opposition, and supporting organizations that advocate for the rights of trans individuals.

 

By choosing to host the event in a state that has actively worked to discriminate against the LGBTQIAA2S+ community, the Brewers Association put its constituents at risk. The Craft Brewers Conference is a major gathering of professionals in the brewing industry. As such, it is an opportunity for the Brewers Association to promote inclusivity and diversity within the industry. However, by hosting the event in Tennessee, a state with a history of anti-LGBTQIAA2S+ policies, the Brewers Association failed to live up to this responsibility.

 

Furthermore, the decision to hold the conference in Nashville came at a time when the state was in the process of passing more discriminatory legislation. Since 2015, there were 13 anti-LGBTQIAA2S+ laws that have been enacted to restrict the rights of the Queer community – the most in the nation in that short time frame. This legislation directly targets and harms members of the LGBTQIAA2S+ community and puts their safety at risk. By holding the conference in Nashville, the Brewers Association implicitly endorsed the discriminatory policies of the state, putting its own constituents at risk and sending a message that discrimination is acceptable.

 

We believe that the Brewers Association has a responsibility to consider the safety and well-being of all its members when selecting a location for the Craft Brewers Conference, regardless of how large or small the directly affected population may be. Furthermore, this particular issue is not a partisan issue – it is a human rights issue that affects your members. By hosting the event in Tennessee, the organization failed to prioritize the safety of its constituents and missed an opportunity to promote inclusivity and diversity within the industry.

 

Silence on issues of social justice and human rights is problematic because it allows discrimination and oppression to go unchecked. By choosing to remain silent, organizations and individuals are complicit in the harm caused to marginalized communities. Silence sends a message that discrimination is acceptable and that those who are affected by it are not valued or respected. In the case of the Brewers Association’s failure to address the anti-trans legislation in Tennessee, its silence is a failure of leadership and a missed opportunity to use its platform to advocate for the rights and dignity of all people. In order to create a more just and equitable society, it is crucial that we all speak out against discrimination and use our voices to promote positive change.

 

The Brewers Association’s decision to hold the 2023 Craft Brewers Conference in Tennessee also had serious implications for the safety and comfort of its members. By hosting the event in a state that actively works to discriminate against the LGBTQIAA2S+ community, the Brewers Association put its members at risk of discrimination and harm. This has led to members feeling uncomfortable and unsafe attending the conference, and in some cases, has even deterred members from attending altogether. In addition, there were members who left the conference early and paid exorbitant amounts to remove themselves from the unsafe, uncomfortable environment. Such issues of safety and comfort should not be taken lightly, and the Brewers Association must take full responsibility for its role in creating an environment that was not conducive to the safety and well-being of all its members.

 

In conclusion, we collectively urge the Brewers Association to take responsibility for its actions and to take immediate steps to address the harm it has caused to the trans community and, furthermore, the LGBTQIAA2S+ community. This includes publicly acknowledging the harm caused by holding the Craft Brewers Conference in Tennessee and committing to selecting future conference locations based on their commitment to promoting inclusivity and diversity.

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For those of you still interested in responding to For those of you still interested in responding to the questionnaire survey, please email your responses by Friday. If you still want to participate, email me at info@beerisforeveryone.com 💛

Thank you to all those who have courageously shared their stories! I’ll be reviewing and responding to everyone next week. Cheers!
#Repost from @fullpour
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⚠️🚨 HEY, YOU! 🚨⚠️

Yeah, you!! I heard you when you said August can be a busy month & decided to re-open the 🍻 Craft ExBEERiences Survey 🍻 until the end of September!!

This survey is designed for anyone who currently works at a craft brewery in the U.S. in any capacity (e.g., full-time, part-time, front-of-house, back-of-house, sales, marketing, distro, brewers, owners, etc.).

It’s an opportunity to have your voice heard & to contribute to our understanding of workplace culture, worker well-being & what it’s really like to work in the craft beer industry today! To learn more about it, swipe to the next pic & ✨ SEE LINK IN BIO ✨

If you haven’t had the chance to participate or to share this survey with others in the craft beer industry yet, now is the time‼️

🙏 Feel free to TAG OR SHARE THIS POST with a friend, colleague, your favorite brewer, beertender or brewery to help spread the word 🙏

Really grateful for everyone’s support… cheers to all 🍻

-Sam ❤️
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#drinklocalbeer #localbrewery #craftbeer #craftbeercommunity #craftbeernation #craftbeerlover #instabeer #hazy #hophead #beerlove #beerme #womeninbeer #beergirl #craftbeergirl #craftbrewery #craftbrewing #craftbeerculture #beerthirty #ctbeer #newenglandbeer #craftbeerlove #drinklocalbeers #independentbrewers #brewerlife #brewpub #taproom #brewer #independentcraftbeer #beereducation
#Repost from @urbangardenbrewing • Whooo!!!! THA #Repost from @urbangardenbrewing
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Whooo!!!! THANK YOU for liking, sharing, and commenting!! Big shout-out to all of our backers so far! We reached a new milestone, 30% raised!

Tap that link in the bio - Let's craft history #TOGETHER !!!

#urbangardenbrewing #drinkquality #stayrooted🌱
If you’re interested in participating in our bri If you’re interested in participating in our brief survey on burnout for activists and advocates in the craft beer industry, please make sure to submit your emails by next Friday, 9/22. Thank you!
For those still donating items to Maui Wildfire Re For those still donating items to Maui Wildfire Relief, these are the items that are of need!

It has been a month since the devastation, but there’s so much more recovery to go. Mahalo nui to all those who have given toward this important cause 🤎
Thank you to everyone who participated in the emai Thank you to everyone who participated in the email survey on burnout. After seeing the overwhelming interest in the topic of burnout for our industry and community, Beer is for Everyone has partnered with @infinite.ingredient, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the mental and physical health of craft beverage employees. We will be collaborating to conduct a full-fledged qualitative survey on the subject.

We will be seeking funding over the next few months in order to properly conduct this research. Therefore, if you’re interested in this topic or the research, make sure to follow Beer is for Everyone and Infinite Ingredient for updates.
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For those of you still interested in responding to For those of you still interested in responding to the questionnaire survey, please email your responses by Friday. If you still want to participate, email me at info@beerisforeveryone.com 💛

Thank you to all those who have courageously shared their stories! I’ll be reviewing and responding to everyone next week. Cheers!
#Repost from @fullpour
•
⚠️🚨 HEY, YOU! 🚨⚠️

Yeah, you!! I heard you when you said August can be a busy month & decided to re-open the 🍻 Craft ExBEERiences Survey 🍻 until the end of September!!

This survey is designed for anyone who currently works at a craft brewery in the U.S. in any capacity (e.g., full-time, part-time, front-of-house, back-of-house, sales, marketing, distro, brewers, owners, etc.).

It’s an opportunity to have your voice heard & to contribute to our understanding of workplace culture, worker well-being & what it’s really like to work in the craft beer industry today! To learn more about it, swipe to the next pic & ✨ SEE LINK IN BIO ✨

If you haven’t had the chance to participate or to share this survey with others in the craft beer industry yet, now is the time‼️

🙏 Feel free to TAG OR SHARE THIS POST with a friend, colleague, your favorite brewer, beertender or brewery to help spread the word 🙏

Really grateful for everyone’s support… cheers to all 🍻

-Sam ❤️
•
•
•
•
•
#drinklocalbeer #localbrewery #craftbeer #craftbeercommunity #craftbeernation #craftbeerlover #instabeer #hazy #hophead #beerlove #beerme #womeninbeer #beergirl #craftbeergirl #craftbrewery #craftbrewing #craftbeerculture #beerthirty #ctbeer #newenglandbeer #craftbeerlove #drinklocalbeers #independentbrewers #brewerlife #brewpub #taproom #brewer #independentcraftbeer #beereducation
#Repost from @urbangardenbrewing • Whooo!!!! THA #Repost from @urbangardenbrewing
•
Whooo!!!! THANK YOU for liking, sharing, and commenting!! Big shout-out to all of our backers so far! We reached a new milestone, 30% raised!

Tap that link in the bio - Let's craft history #TOGETHER !!!

#urbangardenbrewing #drinkquality #stayrooted🌱
If you’re interested in participating in our bri If you’re interested in participating in our brief survey on burnout for activists and advocates in the craft beer industry, please make sure to submit your emails by next Friday, 9/22. Thank you!
For those still donating items to Maui Wildfire Re For those still donating items to Maui Wildfire Relief, these are the items that are of need!

It has been a month since the devastation, but there’s so much more recovery to go. Mahalo nui to all those who have given toward this important cause 🤎
Thank you to everyone who participated in the emai Thank you to everyone who participated in the email survey on burnout. After seeing the overwhelming interest in the topic of burnout for our industry and community, Beer is for Everyone has partnered with @infinite.ingredient, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the mental and physical health of craft beverage employees. We will be collaborating to conduct a full-fledged qualitative survey on the subject.

We will be seeking funding over the next few months in order to properly conduct this research. Therefore, if you’re interested in this topic or the research, make sure to follow Beer is for Everyone and Infinite Ingredient for updates.
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About Us

Beer is for Everyone

SMALL NON-PROFIT MEDIA PUBLICATIONS

Beer is for Everyone is a grass roots project that was born from the need for more diverse bodies, spaces, and voices within the craft beer community. We look to encourage the inclusion of all people who love craft beer.

Most Popular

Lone Star Riddles

Yellow plastic crates with beer bottles in a brewery.,Bairds Brewery,Japan

The Ratmagnet Effect: What We Learned and What Was Left Unsaid

Girl writing "#metoo" on a mirror with a red lipstick.

The Beer Boom

Sharing beer
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