Coopers Brewery has apologised over the recent Bible Society video which saw two Liberal MPs discussing marriage equality while drinking Coopers Premium Light on the Queen’s Terrace at Parliament House.
The clip sparked a major backlash against the brewery after the Bible Society aired a video that featured gay Victorian MP Tim Wilson and conservative Christian MP Andrew Hastie discussing their opposing views on marriage equality.
Mr Wilson, a former Human Rights Commissioner, supports gay marriage whereas Mr Hastie does not.
It was the start of a Bible Society series called Keeping it Light with the stated idea behind it being to have “light conversations on the heaviest topics”. The Bible Society’s slogan is ‘live light’.
Coopers recently featured the Bible Society’s 200th year anniversary on some of its commemorative cans, leading to some venues ditching the beer. It is also a long-time backer of the South Australian Liberals.
Sydney pubs The Newtown Hotel and The Hollywood Hotel and Melbourne bars Mollie Bar and Diner, Sircuit Bar and The Old Bar were some of the venues that decided to ditch Coopers, following the Bible Society’s disastrous foray into public debate.
Coopers went into damage control mode last night, issuing an apology fronted by its Managing Director, Dr Tim Cooper and Melanie Cooper Director of Finance and Corporate Affairs.
During the apology Dr Cooper said: “Coopers never intended to make light of such an important issue, and would never and did not approve the making or release of the Bible Society video ‘debate’.
“Our company’s guiding principles have centred around respect for others, and, as such, the recent activity surrounding the video made by the Bible Society has conflicted with our core values.”
Ms Cooper said the company had cancelled its Bible Society commemorative cans, which also featured Bible verses, and would be joining Australian Marriage Equality.
“Our company supports marriage equality,” Ms Cooper said.
“Offence has been taken by our recent involvement, for which we are deeply sorry. We have listened to a range of community views, we acknowledge this feedback and respect everyone’s individual opinions and beliefs.”
But some posters on the company’s Facebook page derided the apology and criticised the participants for reading off an autocue.
“Worst auto cue reading ever. All they needed to say is “we’re sorry…please let us go back to making fists full of money.”
Others disagreed: “I think they are probably doing the best they can. They certainly look both serious and humble, and they are both facing the camera and speaking those words. I think we should take them at face value. It’s the apology we were after.”
Meanwhile, the Bible Society maintained that Coopers had no involvement in the video.
“Bible Society is entirely responsible for the ‘Keeping it Light’ video. It was not sponsored by Coopers. No money has changed hands between Bible Society and Coopers in regards to this campaign.
“Bible Society remains grateful to Coopers for both the release of light beer commemorating our bicentenary and their support through their foundation for the distribution of bibles to the Defence Force and those who need them.”
The post Coopers apologises for Bible Society ‘keep it light’ gay marriage video appeared first on Government News.
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