Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Anthony Bass shared a post on his social media which promoted anti-LGBTQ campaigns, which targeted boycotting Target and Bud Light because of those companies associated with the promotion of Pride campaigns.
Bass took to Instagram stories and shared a video that called on Christians to stop patronizing companies in the United States.
Earlier this month, Target announced it would be removing some of its LGBTQ2S+ merchandise nationwide and moving its Pride merchandise to the back of some southern U.S. stores after receiving backlash from some customers.
The original video posted took directed aim at those companies, saying “Here’s the reason biblically why I believe Christians have got to be boycotting Target, Bud Light, and any other corporation that’s pushing the things they’re pushing. This is evil, this is demonic, we won’t stand for it, we’re not going to go to the stores anymore and we’re not going to give you our money.”
Bass later apologized Tuesday for the post before the Blue Jays contest against Milwaukee Brewers. Bass also did not take questions from the media.
“I’ll make this quick,” Bass said. “I recognize yesterday that I made a post that was hurtful to the Pride community, which includes friends of mine and close family members of mine, and I am truly sorry for that. I just spoke with my teammates and shared with them my actions yesterday. I apologized (to) them and, as of right now, I am using the Blue Jays’ resources to better educate myself to make better decisions moving forward. The ballpark is for everybody. We include all fans at the ballpark and we want to welcome everybody.”
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The Blue Jays in a statement to the Toronto Star said that “individual player sentiments are not representative of the club’s beliefs.”
“The Blue Jays bring millions of fans together across Canada and are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming experience for all,” the statement said. “The Blue Jays are proud to celebrate LGBTQ2S+ Pride Month, including a special fourth annual Pride Weekend at the ballpark June 9 and 10, and demonstrations of allyship all month long around the ballpark.”
Bass, who has appeared in 20 games this season for the last-place Blue Jays, has removed the video from his social media.
Bass created another social media moment in April when he called out a United Airlines employee after they refused to clean up popcorn that was spilled by one of his young children.
