Coopers boycott over Bible Society video ‘absurd’

THE brewery Coopers is in full damage control. Its bosses have released an apology after an awkward and controversial same-sex marriage ad.

COOPERS has gone into damage control, releasing a video apology after a controversial same-sex marriage ad.

The South Australian brewer was forced to issue a statement on Tuesday afternoon declaring they are “incredibly saddened” by the community’s feedback and committed to “embracing all Australians”.

The backlash started on Tuesday and included a #BoycottCoopers push on social media and by a number of pubs in Sydney and Melbourne. It was centred around the brewer’s involvement in an ad created by the Bible Society debating same-sex marriage.

“On behalf of the Coopers board and senior staff, we are incredibly saddened by the impact our involvement with the Bible Society has had on our valued Coopers drinkers and our extended family,” managing director Tim Cooper said in the video.

“As a longstanding philanthropic company, Coopers Brewery has been passionate about supporting all aspects of our community and has actively and financially embraced many different organisations.

WATCH THE APOLOGY BELOW

“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.”

He 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”.

Director of finance and corporate affairs at the brewer, Melanie Cooper, said Coopers is and has always “been supportive of diversity and encourages individualism, our company supports marriage equality.

“Offence has been taken by our recent involvement, for which we are deeply sorry. We’ve listened to a range of community views and we acknowledge this feedback and respect everyone’s individual opinions.”

She said the company had cancelled the release of Bible Society commemorative cans and was taking steps to show further support for our community, including joining Marriage Equality Australia.”

In a statment on Thursday, a spokesman for the Bible Society said it was “totally understanding of Coopers’ position and we respect Coopers’ decision, particularly after the events of the last few days”.

“We remain grateful for our friendship with Coopers and for their support of our work,” he said. “We’re sad and sorry that a conversation (not a debate or an argument) on an important issue for our community has provoked such a flame war.

“In our 200th year, Bible Society, Australia’s longest living organisation, will be getting on with the job of making the Bible available to everyone who needs it.

“Bible Society will continue to translate, distribute and engage people with the Bible and its message of God’s unconditional love.”

The ad — which featured Liberal MP and former Human Rights Commissioner Tim Wilson and fellow Liberal MP Andrew Hastie — was met with a mixed response, including opposition from a number of pubs.

Sydney’s Newtown Hotel, Union Hotel Newtown, Hollywood Hotel in Surry Hills and Hideaway Bar in Enmore led the push to boycott the popular beer brand in Sydney and Old Bar, Surcuit nightclub and Mollies Bar & Diner in Fitzroy did the same in Melbourne.

But Mr Wilson says the backlash is “absurd” and only proves the point of the video.

Released last week, “Keeping it Light” features Wilson and Andrew Hastie having a “light discussion” on the “heavy topic” of gay marriage over a Coopers beer.

Wilson, who supports gay marriage, and Hastie, a conservative Christian in favour of traditional marriage, are each asked to state their case and then say which element of the other’s argument they found most convincing.

Here’s what Wilson says: “I believe that it would be sensible to change the act that deals with issues around civil marriage to include two people regardless of their gender. I hold that view because I believe everybody should be encouraged to have an equal investment in society.

“Relationships should be recognised as marriage if they’re long-term and committed, because they provide the foundations of a society going from individual to forming family, building community and ultimately country. That’s how we make a strong country and whether people are heterosexual or homosexual, we should want people committed to that.”

And here’s Hastie’s view: “I’m for retaining the current definition of marriage, which is between a man and a woman. I hold to a common view of marriage, common throughout culture and history, and that is that it’s a comprehensive union between a man and a woman, it’s equal, and it’s diverse, it’s got both genders.

“I think it’s an institution that’s grown up organically prior to politics. My view is the state shouldn’t be redefining something that exists prior to the state. So my view is we should tread lightly there. That’s not to say that Tim and Ryan, his partner, shouldn’t be afforded the same rights before the law as a married couple, I just think the definition is distinct and important.”

Despite the civil tone of the discussion, gay marriage supporters slammed Coopers for participating in the video, immediately calling for a boycott. Bars and pubs soon followed suit.

“Due to the recent language coming out of Coopers Brewing, we will be taking their Pale Ale off tap after our current kegs are blown,” Union Hotel Newtown wrote on Facebook. “At this point it seems their views on marriage equality are at odds with not only those of our staff, but our locals and the broader community of Newtown.”

The Old Bar wrote: “Unfortunately we will no longer be purchasing any stock from Coopers. It’s a sad day for us as over the many years we have built a strong relationship, yet after recent events it is very obvious that our values are at odds.”

Chris Driscoll, general manager of Mollie’s Bar & Diner and Sircuit, uploaded a video of Coopers bottles being thrown in the bin. “Sircuit and Mollie’s, like beer companies, have choices,” he wrote. “I have made mine. If Coopers wish to discuss, they have my number.”

In an initial statement, Coopers described the video as “a light hearted but balanced debate about an important topic within Australia”, saying it wasn’t trying to “push religious messages or change your beliefs”.

Coopers distanced itself from the video with a preliminary statement on Tuesday before the release of the video statement.

“We want you to know that Coopers did not give permission for our Premium Light beer to feature in, or ‘sponsor’ the Bible Society’s ‘Keeping it Light’ video featuring Andrew Hastie and Tim Wilson,” the statement said.

“We respect the beliefs of our community and do not wish to try and change them. Our family brewery is made up of individuals from a number of different backgrounds, all of whom hold differing views on politics and religion, which we think is reflective of the wider community. We would like all Coopers fans to know that we support and embrace all of our beer drinking community.”

We would like to release the following statement with regards to the video published by The Bible Society https://t.co/MmDcq6TnUR

— Coopers Brewery (@coopersbrewery) March 12, 2017

Wilson told news.com.au the boycott against Coopers was “simply absurd”. “I’m disappointed Coopers appears to have distanced themselves from a sensible conversation that they should be proud to align themselves with,” he said.

He described the response to the video as “bizarre”, saying the “over-the-top response” had “only proven the need for more civil disagreement”.

“The objective of the Bible Society was to bring together two people who disagree on an issue they both feel passionately about and demonstrate they can disagree without being disagreeable,” he said.

“Our society needs more civil discussions, not less. You can’t persuade people to change their mind if you only talk to people you agree with.

“The Bible Society video was designed to show how a constructive discussion can be had. The response to it has only demonstrated how much people in positions of influence need to set an example of civility and respect.

“The overwhelming response I have received from my community is that people appreciate two adults talking about a topical issue as adults without resorting to name calling. As someone who is in favour of a change in the law, I welcome the opportunity to discuss the case for change with those who agree or disagree.”

In a statement on Monday, the Bible Society said it was “entirely responsible” for the video. “It was not sponsored by Coopers,” the statement said. “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 interest from the public in this campaign reinforces the message of the video — that it is important for Australians to have respectful conversations about serious issues — ‘keeping it light’.”

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