Anheuser-Busch Ends St. Louis PrideFest Sponsorship

For the first time in over 30 years, Anheuser-Busch has announced it will not be a sponsor of PrideFest, the annual LGBTQ festival in downtown St. Louis. It’s worth noting that Anheuser-Busch’s corporate offices and flagship brewery are located in St. Louis. This news comes after Anheuser-Busch withdrew its sponsorship of San Francisco’s 2025 Pride celebration earlier this month. The St. Louis Fox News affiliate reports several local establishments have decided to stop carrying AB products as a response to the news. Pride St. Louis announced the decision Tuesday morning, expressing sadness over losing such a historic supporter. The festival, which is scheduled for June 28 and 29 at Soldiers Memorial Park, is facing a $150,000 funding shortfall compared to last year. PrideFest is the largest parade in St. Louis, culminating a weekend of celebration for the LGBTQIA community.

“We are devastated this year that our hometown brewer, Anheuser-Busch, has declined to sponsor PrideFest after more than 30 years of partnership,” festival organizer Pride St. Louis said in a March 25 press release. “At a time when many sponsors have already reduced their contributions, this decision is especially painful. We are saddened to lose such a historic supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community in St. Louis.” In response to the funding challenges, Pride St. Louis is launching a fundraising campaign called #45 for 45, commemorating 45 years of advocacy for the LGBTQIA community.