Florida restauranteur dumps Bud Light for supporting 'something that is in direct opposition to our Biblical faith'

The owner of a restaurant chain in Florida said that the restaurant has dropped Bud Light due to the brand's support of unbiblical ideology.

In a message posted on the Grills Seafood Deck and Tiki Bar Facebook page, Grills Restaurants owner Joe Penovich noted that transgenderism is inflicting "irreversible damage" on young people. The restaurant has three locations in the Sunshine State.

Anheuser-Busch has been embroiled in controversy for enlisting transgender figure Dylan Mulvaney to advertise Bud Light.

"It is true we made the decision to remove Bud Light because of their support of something that is in direct opposition to our Biblical faith. There is no judgement in our heart concerning those who believe in these rapidly changing social values. But there is a lie being levied that we and other Christians hate Dylan Mulvaney and the gay community. Nothing could be further from the truth in our hearts and minds. Our decision was made with many tears for this circumstance and what we see as corporate greed and a deeper spiritual reality coming upon this world," Penovich wrote in the social media post.

"Setting aside a deeper dive into our Biblical viewpoints for now, we believe transgenderism is a social experiment causing irreversible damage to a growing population of younger and younger children. We will not align with it in any way," Penovich wrote. "We are prayerfully asking God how to separate from corporations such as Anheuser-Bush that are promoting and attempting to profit from this experiment."

But the business owner denied allegations that someone on social media made against the restaurant.

"Today, I was at Grills (at the port), I eye witnessed something I'd ever thought I'd see. Staff throwing every Bud Light bottle/Keg in the trash in the sun to spoil for a 'Credit' as they said. Spoiled beer! The manager tells bar staff 'We don’t serve faggot beer,'" someone claimed in a Facebook group.

Penovich said that the allegations were untrue and that he had reached out in an attempt to connect with the person who made the claims.

"I have requested to meet with this individual to discuss these serious allegations and asked for a specific time and location on our property he heard and witnessed these things in order to review security camera footage," Penovich wrote. "I can assure you, our patrons and employees, many who know me personally and followed the Grills story, this post is not true and not remotely characteristic of who we are or what our reputation in the community has been for over 25 years."

Anheuser-Busch's move to have Mulvaney advertise Bud Light has been met with a groundswell of backlash, and CEO Brendan Whitworth issued a statement last week in which he said the company "never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people."

"We have nothing but love in our hearts for the gay community," Penovich said, according to Florida Today. "We're not called to judge those who don't see things our way ... This makes me so angry and sad, but I believe Jesus is the way to mental health."

"We don't have any illusions of putting financial harm on Anheuser-Busch," he said, according to the outlet, "but we're concerned about hurting our local distributor."

"This is difficult for everyone, but it's a discussion that needs to be had," he noted, according to Florida Today. "I feel so strongly that God is telling me to take a stand. I'm going to have to deal with the consequences."

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