Blue Jays' Anthony Bass Says He Doesn't Think His Anti-LGBTQ+ Post Was Hateful
U.S. News & World Report TORONTO (AP) Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Anthony Bass said Thursday he doesnt believe an anti-LGBTQ+ social media post he shared last month 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 Fridays game against Minnesota as the Blue Jays begin their fourth annual Pride Weekend celebration.
Bass apologized before a May 30 game against Milwaukee, one day after sharing a post on his Instagram stories calling for anti-LGBTQ+ boycotts of Target and Bud Light over support they showed for the LGBTQ+ community. Both companies are dealing with fallout from those campaigns, which have included hostile and homophobic criticisms and calls from LGBTQ+ activists not to cave to anti-LGBTQ+ groups.
Bass has been booed by Toronto fans in his two home appearances since the apology.
