Licensees Adam Brooks and his partner Tony make a personal stand against the refusal of Coca-Cola to speak out about the basic human rights being denied to LGBT people in Russia.
They have removed all Coca-Cola products from their shelves following the deafening silence from one of the headline sponsors of the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi.
Adam runs the Bedford Tavern on the border of Hove and Tony the Brighton Tavern in Gloucester Road, Brighton.
“We (like many others) have signed the numerous petitions, have written letters to Downing Street, the IOC, the Russian Embassy, and the Olympic sponsors urging them to speak out against basic human rights that are being denied to the LGBT people of Russia – with very little success. Our venues, like many others last Pride stopped stocking Russian vodka in protest but we feel more needs to be done.
“Tony and I had decided if Coca-Cola (a major Olympic sponsor who prides itself on speaking out on LGBT issues) continued to stay silent on the heart breaking issues facing the LGBT people of Russia then we would no longer support the Coca-Cola brand from the start of the Winter Olympics.
“Coca-Cola has stayed silent so both of our venues will no longer be selling Coca-Cola products. Pepsi will replace Coca-Cola and Britvic and Ben Shawes will replace our Schweppes products – it’s easily done!
“This small gesture from two back-street Brighton pubs is certainly not going to have the giant that is Coca-Cola worried. However, this small act can snowball. What if every gay/gay friendly venue in Brighton followed suit? That would start a ripple. Perhaps London gay venues would jump on board – this could easily spread and that is when Coca-Cola would take notice.
“We are not activists; we are just trying to do the right thing. If you feel your venue can do something similar to help make a difference NOW is the time to do it.
“Hate can spread very quickly, the hate currently in Russia could be on Brighton’s doorstep soon – let’s not let that happen. Act now!”
Adam and Tony will be joining the To Russian with love peacefull demonstration in support of LGBT people in Russia at the Clock Tower in Brighton, starting at noon today.
The Telscombe Tavern at Telscombe Cliffs and Crown and Anchor in Preston Park are the first local venues to announce this evening (Saturday 8) they will be joining Adam and Tony and removing all Coco Cola products from their bars.
Licensee of both venues is Andy Dunton. He said: “Its not just gay bars that should support this, last year we removed all Russian vodka from the shelves in both pubs and we will now remove all Coca Cola products.”