Blue Jays pitcher Anthony Bass apologizes for sharing post supporting anti-LGBTQ boycotts

A pitcher with the Toronto Blue Jays has apologized for sharing a video endorsing an anti-LGBTQ boycott of brands such as Target and Bud Light.

On Monday, Anthony Bass, a relief pitcher with the Jays, shared an Instagram reel from the account dudewithgoodnews that called on Christians to avoid these brands.

The original clip says, "Here's the reason biblically why I believe Christians have gotta be boycotting Target, Bud Light, and any other corporation that's pushing the things they're pushing. I think a lot of people make this into a political issue, or they say, 'Oh, what's the big deal?'"

The clip later says: "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."

Target recently said it was removing some LGBTQ merchandise from its stores in the U.S. and moving its Pride merchandise to the back in some stores in southern states following confrontations and a backlash by some shoppers in those areas. 

Bud Light has been the subject of calls for a boycott after the brand partnered with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney in an attempt to broaden its market.

On Tuesday afternoon, Bass apologized to the LGBTQ community for his "hurtful" post.

"I am truly sorry," he told reporters. "I just spoke with my teammates, shared with them my actions yesterday, apologized with them, and as of right now I'm accessing Blue Jays resources to better educate myself, to make better decisions going forward.

"The ballpark is for everybody."

WATCH | Anthony Bass apologizes: 

Blue Jays pitcher apologizes for sharing video endorsing anti-LGBTQ boycott

2 years ago

Duration 0:33

Anthony Bass, a relief pitcher with the Toronto Blue Jays, apologized to the LGBTQ community for his 'hurtful' post and said he is working with resources from the organization to better educate himself.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said he appreciated his pitcher apologizing for his actions.

But he said an apology is just a "first step" when it comes to taking accountability.

"It's not going to be a 15 or 30-second apology and say, 'OK, I did my part.' There's going to be continued work with the resources we do have to try to show that he's understanding that he made a mistake."

WATCH | 'Continued work' needed, says Jays manager: 

'Continued work' needed for Anthony Bass after apology, Blue Jays manager says

2 years ago

Duration 0:30

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said an apology from pitcher Anthony Bass, while appreciated, is just a 'first step' when it comes to Bass taking accountability for sharing a video endorsing an anti-LGBTQ boycott of brands such as Target and Bud Light.

Calls for Jays to drop Bass

Bass's post initially drew backlash, with some people suggesting on social media that the Blue Jays trade him, release him or designate him for assignment.

Pascale St-Onge, Canada's minister for sport, said Bass's sharing of the posts was "dangerous and can harm lives." 

"Let's be clear: no one should ever feel ashamed of being themselves," St-Onge said on Twitter.

The controversy comes just ahead of Pride Month in Toronto, and just over a week before the ball club hosts its fourth annual Pride Weekend on June 9 and 10, when the Minnesota Twins are in town.