A’s ‘support’ LGBTQ youth as John Fisher gives to anti-LGBTQ lawmakers

“On #SpiritDay and every day, we are proud to support LGBTQ+ youth everywhere,” the A’s post reads.

Meanwhile, A’s owner John Fisher has signaled a very different message, donating to multiple politicians in recent months who’ve voted for, and signed off on, anti-LGBTQ legislation.

As first reported by SFGATE, Fisher and his Gap Inc. billionaire heir brothers each donated $3,300 earlier this year — the maximum amount allowed to an individual candidate’s campaign — to North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a Republican who’s ostensibly running for president. Burgum is not a likely candidate; he’s struggling to surpass 1% in the GOP primaries, and has resorted to silly schemes like giving out gift card to donors so he could qualify for televised debates.

Back in North Dakota, Burgum has signed off on more anti-trans laws than almost any other state has made law this year, according to the New York Times. GLAAD, the organization the A’s are proudly citing on Spirit Day, noted that Burgum has made it a crime to give gender-affirming care to anyone under 18, and signed off on a bill allowing teachers to misgender students.

Just last month, Fisher also gave the maximum possible donation amount to Rep. Jodey Arrington, a conservative congressman representing West Texas who was a 2020 election denier, has called for a national abortion ban and believes humans are not the primary drivers of climate change.

After his 2019 “nay” vote, Arrington said of the proposed law: “Unfortunately, this legislation politicizes sexuality, ignores basic biological reality and undermines our religious freedom. If this bill were to become law, it would force girls to compete against boys in sports and put women at risk by allowing men access to rape crisis centers, ladies’ locker rooms and other female-only facilities.”

Despite the A’s message of support for LGBTQ+ youth, it seems unlikely that the organization will be denouncing their team owner anytime soon.