Philip Anschutz reportedly gave over $200,000 to anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ politicians in 2017.
Last year it was reported by The Washington Post that Coachella owner – Philip Anschutz – was potentially an anti-LGBTQ advocate due to donations he’d made to various anti-gay organisations.
His company – Anschutz Entertainment Group – donated to groups such as the Alliance Defending Freedom, Family Research Council (FRC), and the National Christian Foundation.
The FRC in particular, are an extremist group. Its website says: “(The) Family Research Council believes that homosexual conduct is harmful to the persons who engage in it and to society at large, and can never be affirmed.
“It is by definition unnatural, and as such is associated with negative physical and psychological health effects.”
Anschutz hit out against the reports, and said to Rolling Stone: “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.”
It has now come to light that the 78-year-old billionaire donated over $200,000 to anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ politicians in 2017 alone.
Related: Anti-LGBT hate group opens conference with rainbow flag dance.
According to Complex, the recipients included pro-gun Colorado Senator Cory Gardner ($5,400), Colorado congressman Scott Tipton, opposer of same-sex marriage and abortion ($2,700), U.S. Representative Mike Coffman, pro-life birther ($5,400), as well as Nebraska Senator Deb Fisher and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.
As well as donating to politicians directly, The Anschutz Corporation gave $138,000 to the National Republican Senate Committee.
Despite reports of Anschutz’s right-wing agenda, Coachella has continued to thrive as one of the largest and most profitable music festivals in the world.
Last year’s festival was their most successful so far, grossing over $114.6 million with an estimated overall attendance of 250,000.
Beyoncé, The Weeknd and Eminem are among this year’s headliners, with tickets priced as $429.
We wonder – how much of that will be donated to pro-gun, anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ organisations?
Related: Fans urge Beyoncé to donate Coachella fee to LGBTQ+ charities.
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