NBA legend has a message for transphobes and homophobes about Bud Light controversy -TGN

Sports pundit and NBA legend Charles Barkley gave an impassioned speech in support of LGBTQ+ rights in the wake of the Bud Light frenzy. (Getty Images)

Sports expert and NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley has a message for anti-LGBTQ+ bigots: “F**k you.”

The NBA legend and longtime supporter of LGBTQ+ rights gave an impassioned speech at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe, Nevada — the same venue where he shared a similar message of community solidarity just a year earlier.

Barkley took the opportunity to address the Bud Light controversy after the beer brand sent a personalized can to trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney in April to celebrate the one-year anniversary of her “Days of Girlhood” TikTok series.

Bud Light’s partnership with a trans woman saw conservatives across the US pledge to boycott the beer, with some even filming them smashing shelves of bottles, or filming them destroying or donating Bud Light.

The 60-year-old former NBA star made it clear that he has no time for bigots who shun Bud Light because of the Mulvaney partnership.

In a speech at the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship Tournament, he said, “I want you guys to drink this goddamn beer. I have three boxes of Bud Light.

“And I want to say this: if you are gay, bless you. If you are transgender, bless you. And if you have a problem with that, f*** you!”

Barkley shared a similar sentiment at the same celebrity golf tournament in 2022, saying: “If you’re gay or transgender, I love you – and if anyone bothers you, tell them Charles said ‘F**k you!'”

An 11-time NBA All-Star, Barkley was also an 11-time All-NBA Team member, named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1993, and a two-time Olympic gold medal winner as part of the U.S. national team.

After retiring from professional basketball, Barkley found further success as an NBA analyst for TNT Within the NBAwon four Sports Emmy Awards for his knowledge.

The Phoenix Suns legend has long been an outspoken supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, telling Fox Sports in 2006 that he is a “strong supporter of same-sex marriage.” In 2011, Barkley told a DC radio station that he played pro basketball alongside gay teammates, and never had a problem with it.

Barkley explained to the station that he disagrees with the idea of ​​athletes being inherently anti-LGBTQ+, saying, “First of all, society discriminates against gay people. They always try to get gay people to discriminate against gay people.

“I have long been a strong supporter of same-sex marriage because as a black person I cannot be discriminated against at all.”