TORONTO, ONT – Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Anthony Bass said Thursday he didn’t think an anti-LGBTQ+ social media post he shared last month was hateful.
The right-hander also said he’s “working hard” to gain further education, including meeting the chief executive of activist group Pride Toronto.
Bass is expected to witness Toronto’s LGBTQ+ activist leZlie Lee Kam’s ceremonial first pitch ahead of Friday’s game against Minnesota as the Blue Jays begin their fourth annual Pride weekend celebration.
Bass issued an apology ahead of a May 30 game against Milwaukee, a day after he shared a post on his Instagram Stories calling for anti-LGBTQ+ boycotts of Target and Bud Light for their support of the LGBTQ+ community . Both companies are dealing with the fallout from these campaigns, which have included hostile and homophobic criticism, as well as calls from LGBTQ+ activists not to give in to anti-LGBTQ+ groups.
Since the apology, Bass has been booed at both of his home performances by Toronto fans.
“I totally get that,” Bass said. “I just want them to know that I work hard on myself, lots of self-reflection.”
However, Bass later said he didn’t think the post, which described selling LGBTQ+ merchandise as “evil” and “demonic,” should be considered hateful.
“I don’t,” Bass said. “That’s why I originally posted it. Looking back I can see how people would see it and that’s why I apologized.”
Bass said he decided to delete the post because “it was the right thing to do” and because he didn’t want it to distract the team.
“But I stand by my personal beliefs,” Bass said, “and everyone is entitled to their personal beliefs, right? I also think that no group of people will be harmed.
“My focus from the start should have been to do my job and accept everyone’s choices and views in life,” Bass added. “I learned that through this process. In the future I will definitely know better than to post my personal beliefs on my social media platforms.”
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins first raised the issue on Thursday, just before Bass spoke.
Atkins, while acknowledging that he was “personally hurt” by Bass’s post, said he accepted the apology the pitcher offered him and manager John Schneider last month.
“I found his apology and accountability to be genuine, otherwise we would honestly be talking about a different outcome,” Atkins said. “This was absolutely necessary for us because we believe in the strides 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 remain true to our commitment to make this environment as inclusive as possible.”
Workers hung rainbow flags at Rogers Center after Thursday’s win over Houston, preparing the stadium for Friday’s celebrations.
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