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Coachella owner calls history of funding anti-LGBT groups ‘fake news’

reports found the CEO’s company has donated thousands to anti-gay organizations

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(Screenshot via YouTube.)

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is known for bringing in droves of concert-goers to see big-name acts like the 2017 lineup of Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar and Radiohead. While tickets are considered music gold by many, the Washington Post reports that Coachella’s owner, Phil Anschutz, is a high-profile donor to a number of right-wing, anti-LGBT groups.

Anschutz is CEO of the Anschutz Corporation, the parent company of the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG). Goldenvoice, the organizer of Coachella, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Clippers, is a subsidiary of AEG.

According to an infographic by the Washington Post, the Anschutz Foundation has donated thousands of dollars to Alliance Defending Freedom, National Christian Foundation and Family Research Council.

Anschutz sent a statement to Rolling Stone calling the reports “fake news” and that he no longer funds anti-LGBT groups.

“Recent claims published in the media that I am anti-LGBTQ are nothing more than fake news – it is all garbage. I unequivocally support the rights of all people without regard to sexual orientation. We are fortunate to employ a wealth of diverse individuals throughout our family of companies, all of whom are important to us – the only criteria on which they are judged is the quality of their job performance; we do not tolerate discrimination in any form,” the statement reads.

“Both The Anschutz Foundation and I contribute to numerous organizations that pursue a wide range of causes. Neither I nor the Foundation fund any organization with the purpose or expectation that it would finance anti-LGBTQ initiatives, and when it has come to my attention or the attention of The Anschutz Foundation that certain organizations either the Foundation or I have funded have been supporting such causes, we have immediately ceased all contributions to such groups,” the statement continues.

Coachella takes place over two weekends on April 14-16 and April 21-23.

 

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Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C

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Gay Pride Day 1976 (Washington Blade archive photo)

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The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies. 

Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays. 

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The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.

We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.

I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.

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