Jays' Anthony Bass says anti-LGBTQIA+ post he shared wasn't hateful - ESPN

TORONTO — Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Anthony Bass said Thursday he doesn't believe an anti-LGBTQIA+ 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 LGBTQIA+ activist leZlie Lee Kam before Friday's 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-LGBTQIA+ boycotts of Target and Bud Light over support they showed for the LGBTQIA+ community. Both companies are dealing with fallout from those campaigns, which have included hostile and homophobic criticisms and calls from LGBTQIA+ activists not to cave to anti-LGBTQIA+ groups.

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 that 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 LGBTQIA+ merchandise as «evil» and «demonic,» should be considered hateful.

«I do not,» Bass said. «That's why I posted it originally. When I look back at it, I can see how people would view it that way and that's why I was apologetic.»

Bass said he chose to delete the post because «it was the right thing to do,» and because he didn't want it to be a distraction to the team.

«But I stand by my personal beliefs,» Bass said, «and everyone is entitled to their personal beliefs, right? Also, I mean no harm towards any groups of people.»

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