Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell has pushed back on claims that he used homophobic language during a tense confrontation with a beachgoer outside his Florida home, after video of the incident sparked widespread criticism online.
Early reports alleged that Littrell had used a homophobic slur during a 22 March altercation with a man identified as Kyle Gallagher in Walton County, Florida.
Clips shared online appeared to capture the singer saying, “You want to be gay?”, while some reports also claimed he said, “Want to be a f*****?”, prompting backlash and concern among fans.
Brian Littrell disputes homophobic slur claims
The situation shifted, however, after Littrell submitted the full video to police as part of his effort to press battery charges against Gallagher.
Prosecutors later declined to proceed, citing a “lack of criminal intent”, and the footage was subsequently made public.
According to later reports, the uncensored video appeared to show that although Littrell did use the word “gay” during the exchange, he did not use the homophobic slur initially alleged.
The footage reportedly shows Littrell saying, “You want to be gay?” and calling the other man a “p***y”, while both men also accused each other of being “gay” during the argument.
Littrell’s legal team firmly denied the earlier allegations, issuing a statement in his defence and criticising the claims.
“The claim that Mr Littrell used a homophobic slur is false. The full video of the encounter shows unequivocally that no such language was used. Sexual orientation played no role in this incident, and any suggestion otherwise is knowingly false.”
The statement also addressed the broader dispute behind the confrontation.
“Mr Littrell and his family purchased what they saw as their dream home, only to discover an ongoing pattern of trespassing and harassment targeting private property owners along their and their neighbors’ stretch of beach.”
It continued: “These actions are not about public access, public beaches exist on both sides of the neighborhood and remain open and uncrowded. Instead, certain individuals appear intent on challenging the very concept of private property rights. It is deeply troubling that these incidents have been allowed to escalate due to a lack of enforcement by the local Sheriff’s office. Homeowners are entitled to safety and privacy on their own property, and Mr Littrell is no exception.”
Police ultimately concluded that neither party acted with criminal intent, and no charges were filed.
The incident has returned Littrell to the spotlight, where he has previously drawn attention for his political views, including support for US president Donald Trump and alleged ties to far-right conspiracy circles.
While the full video appears to undermine the original claim that he used a homophobic slur, the confrontation itself — and his use of the word “gay” during the exchange — continues to attract scrutiny.
