Blue Jays’ Anthony Bass criticized for sharing anti-LGBTQ2S+ video online

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Anthony Bass is attracting a barrage of controversy after he appeared to share an anti-LGBTQ2S+ video on Instagram calling on others to boycott Target.

Various Twitter users published screenshots of the alleged video that Bass shared, depicting a man named Ryan Miller behind the Instagram account “dudewithgoodnews,” instructing the audience to consider boycotting Target on behalf of Christianity and the bible.

“For those who don’t know, Target has begun pushing the message of transitioning to young people and teamed up with a Satanist to push pro-Satan clothing and pins to children,” Miller wrote in the video’s caption. “The enemy isn’t even hiding anymore.”

The video remains shared on Bass’ Instagram story, published around 7:30 p.m. on Monday. The reliever is expected to address the media prior to Tuesday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Target, one of America’s largest general-merchandise retailers, offers products promoting Pride Month, often celebrated in June. Target’s website featured hundreds of Pride products, including rainbow shirts for men and a children’s book about pronouns, among other items.

The retailer has since removed some of these merchandise due to backlash allegedly involving death threats to its employees.

Similarly, Bud Light drew criticism from right-wing commentators after partnering with the transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney on a marketing campaign in April.

Bass, who would frequently tweet, deleted his Twitter account entirely.

Blue Jays respond to Bass controversy

The Blue Jays have a scheduled event to kick off Pride Month on the upcoming weekend of June 9 and June 10. On Friday, the first 15,000 fans to enter the stadium will receive a Blue Jays Rainbow Flag Jersey.

A team spokesperson told CityNews the organization is proud to celebrate Pride Month and 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 club said in a statement.

“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 caught the ire of social media last month after he took to Twitter claiming a United Airlines flight attendant forced his pregnant wife to clean up a midair mess left by their toddler daughter.

Bass admitted that his complaints online led to the flight attendant being investigated by the airline.

The now-viral tweet ignited an online debate at the time, with many people –including Blue Jays fans — disagreeing with Bass, noting that parents should be held responsible for cleaning up children’s messes in public spaces.

The 35-year-old has appeared in 20 games for the Blue Jays this season, pitching to a 4.50 ERA across 18 innings.

It’s his second run in Toronto after he pitched for the club in 2019 and was re-acquired last summer in a trade with the Miami Marlins that included Canadian reliever Zach Pop.