Blue Jays’ Anthony Bass defends himself over anti-LGBTQ+ post calling for boycotts of US businesses

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Anthony Bass claims he doesn’t believe an anti-LGBTQ+ social media post he shared in May was hateful.

The right-handed reliever also said he is “working hard” to educate himself, including meeting with the executive director of activist group Pride Toronto.

Bass is scheduled to catch the ceremonial first pitch from Toronto LGBTQ+ activist leZlie Lee Kam before Friday’s game against Minnesota as the Blue Jays celebrate their fourth annual Pride Weekend.

Bass apologized for a May 30 game against Milwaukee, a day after sharing a post on his Instagram stories calling for anti-LGBTQ+ boycotts from Target and Bud Light for their support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Both companies are dealing with the fallout from those campaigns, including hostile and homophobic criticism and calls from LGBTQ+ activists not to give in to anti-LGBTQ+ groups. The fallout from Anheuser Busch’s decision to partner with actress Mulvaney caused the company to lose an astonishing $27 billion in just a few months.

Bass shared an Instagram post calling for a boycott of a Bud Light ad featuring Dylan Mulvaney

Companies like Target advertised LGBTQ+ clothing for Pride Month, but received backlash

And the domino effect was felt over Memorial Day weekend, when customers shared videos of unwanted cases of Bud Light sitting on shelves untouched across the country.

Target, on the other hand lost more than $4 billion in market value in just under three weeks after it began selling its Pride collection, which includes offering a ‘tuck-in-friendly’ female swimwear line for transgender women.

Bass has been booed by Toronto fans in his two home appearances since the apology.

“I totally get that,” Bass said. “I just want them to know I’m working hard on myself, a lot of self-reflection.”

However, Bass later said he didn’t believe the post, which described the sale of LGBTQ+ merchandise as “evil” and “demonic,” should be considered hateful.

‘I don’t,’ said Bas. That’s why I originally posted it. Looking back, I see how people would view it, so I apologised.’

Bass said he chose to remove the post because “it was the right thing to do” and because he didn’t want the team to be distracted.

“But I stand by my personal beliefs,” Bass said, “and everyone is entitled to their personal beliefs, right? I also mean no harm to groups of people.

“From the beginning, I should have focused on doing my job and accepting everyone’s decisions and views in life,” Bass added. “Through this process, I learned that. In the future, I will certainly know better than to post my personal beliefs on my social media platforms.”

Blue Jays GM Ross Atkin Was ‘Personally Hurt’ By Bass’ Post, But Accepted Pitcher’s Apology

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins first addressed the subject Thursday, shortly before Bass spoke.

While acknowledging that he was “personally hurt” by Bass’ post, Atkins said he accepted the apology the pitcher offered to him and manager John Schneider last month.

“I felt his apology and his responsibility were authentic, otherwise we would be talking about a different outcome, honestly,” Atkins said. “That was imperative for us to be together with how strongly we feel about the progress the Toronto Blue Jays have made in this community.

“It has to go on,” Atkins added. ‘I don’t think you can ever do enough. We will stay true to that commitment to make this environment as inclusive as possible.”

Workers hung rainbow flags at Rogers Center after Thursday’s victory over Houston to prepare the stadium for Friday’s celebration.