Coachella organiser and owner of AEG, Philip Anschutz has today been accused of funding anti-LGBT and climate change denying groups.
Yes, despite announcing a progressive, impressive lineup for Coachella festival with Radiohead, Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, The xx and more, it seems like Anschutz has actively funded the Alliance Defending Freedom, the Family Research Council, and the National Christian Foundation. These three groups known to lobby and campaign against LGBTQ rights. The Family Research Council’s website hosts views that have been construed as anti-gay rights, anti-transgender rights, and anti-abortion.
“Phil Anschutz’s extensive influence in Colorado politics has been known for years, but the degree of his support for anti-LGBTQ groups that fund extremist hate groups like Gordon Kligenschmitt’s ‘Pray in Jesus Name’ is shocking,” said ProgressNow Colorado executive director Ian Silverii in a statement. “At a time in American history when discrimination and violence against LGBTQ citizens is on the rise, support for pro-discrimination groups puts Anschutz on the wrong side of Colorado, and on the wrong side of history.”
Neither Coachella or Anschutz have made a response or statement.