WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today hailed the decisions of major brewers, Guinness, Heineken, and Sam Adams for dropping sponsorships of St. Patrick’s Day parades which discriminate by excluding openly LGBT participants.

“As corporate America continues to lead the charge for LGBT equality, today three of America’s top brewers are helping us say no to anti-LGBT discrimination,” said Deena Fidas, director of the HRC Workplace Equality Program.  “This year’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations will be served up with a pint of fairness.”

Yesterday, Guinness released a corporate statement, saying:

“Guinness has a strong history of supporting diversity and being an advocate for equality for all.  We were hopeful that the policy of exclusion would be reversed for this year’s parade.  As this has not come to pass, Guinness has withdrawn its participation.  We will continue to work with community leaders to ensure that future parades have an inclusionary policy.”

Guinness, Heineken, and Sam Adams are not alone in withdrawing support of St. Patrick’s Day parades because of anti-LGBT discrimination.  New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and Boston Mayor Martin Walsh both declined to march in their cities respective St. Patrick’s Day parades, citing discrimination against LGBT people.