Craft beer breweries in North Carolina are rallying together against anti-queer House Bill 2 (HB2) by creating a special beer, the proceeds of which will benefit pro-LGBT organizations in the state.
The beer, called "Don't Be Mean To People," is the subject of an online fundraiser that has already passed $20,000. More than 30 craft breweries have committed to supporting the special brew with many "directly involved in creating the beer" and others donating "ingredients, supplies, and time or are helping spread the word." All profits from the beer and any funds raised beyond those needed to help create the beverage will be donated to Equality North Carolina and QORDS summer camp for LGBT youth.
"Beer is this really wonderful historic beverage that has been the center of community and human life for thousands and thousands of years," Erik Lars Myers of Hillsborough's Mystery Brewing Company says in the above video. "To be able to use that beverage and our success in business to make a social change and to be able to bring a community together to grow is a really wonderful thing."
North Carolina's Governor Pat McCrory signed HB2 into law on March 23, “banning employers and businesses from discriminating against employees or customers based on their race, color, country of origin, religion, age or ‘biological sex.’ The bill offers no protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, and prevents local governments from passing any nondiscrimination policy that goes beyond the statewide standard.” The law also prohibits trans people from using the public restroom that corresponds with their gender identity.
Other forms of peaceful protest in response to HB2 have hit the Southern state, including a billboard calling out the anti-LGBT nature of the legislation, Bruce Springsteen canceling his North Carolina concert last week and comedian Joel McHale donating all of the proceeds from his Durham, North Carolina show to the city's LGBTQ center.
Want to help out the cause? Head here to check out the "Don't Be Mean To People" fundraising initiative.
H/T Towleroad
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