Backstreet Boys’ Brian Littrell denies claims he used homophobic slur during beachfront confrontation

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Brian Littrell of the Backstreet Boys is denying claims that he used an anti-gay slur during an argument with someone near his Florida beach house. His lawyer has stated the allegations are false.

A video shows 51-year-old singer Howie Littrell arguing with a man near his house. During the argument, Littrell questioned the man’s sexuality and then used a curse word that was later removed from the video.

Several news sources initially believed a censored word might have been a homophobic insult, but unedited video revealed that Littrell actually said ‘p*ssy’.

Peter Ticktin, Howie Littrell’s lawyer, firmly denied claims that Littrell used a homophobic slur, telling The Daily Mail the suggestion is ‘knowingly false’.

According to Ticktin, reports that Mr. Littrell used a homophobic slur are untrue. They state the complete video clearly demonstrates he didn’t use any such language and that sexual orientation wasn’t a factor in the incident. Any claim to the contrary is intentionally misleading.

Littrell’s video served as evidence when the singer filed charges against Kyle Gallagher, a man who was at the beach.

Although an arrest warrant was considered, the claims made by Littrell against Gallagher were dismissed after a video of the fight, recorded by Littrell himself, was examined.

Since moving into their Florida home, singer Howie Dorough, his wife Leighanne, and their property manager have reportedly gotten into arguments with beachgoers who get too close to their $3.8 million house.

According to Florida’s WMBB news, Littrell called 911 on March 22nd, claiming Gallagher physically assaulted him during a beach argument.

A video from The Daily Mail captures the argument, starting with Littrell walking up to Gallagher on the beach.

Gallagher was sitting near the water, and a line was drawn in the sand marking his space. Littrell then came up behind him and started recording with his phone.

‘Get out of my face,’ Gallagher tells Littrell. ‘I’m on the wet sand right now, bro.’ 

‘Look at this gay s**t,’ Gallagher says, holding his own phone to Littrell.   

‘I’m not in your face, you can’t grab my phone, dog,’ Littrell says. 

I was completely stunned when Gallagher said something just came out of his face – it was so unexpected! Then, without missing a beat, he started reaching for his phone, like he was going to document the whole thing.

Littrell says, turning the camera to show his face, ‘This is my reality. This is what my life is like.’

Gallagher said the other person came up to him and aggressively showed him their phone. He added that the person came up behind him and he was able to record it on video.

‘You bought a house next to private property,’ Gallagher continues. 

‘I didn’t touch you,’ Littrell says. ‘You touched me, dog.’ 

The argument continued, and Littrell jokingly asked, ‘Do you want to be gay? Do you want to be a coward?’

The argument went on, with Gallagher suggesting to Littrell that he could afford to buy land right next to the public area.

‘Look – public access!’ he says. 

After twenty years with the company, Gallagher tells the newcomer, ‘You’re finished. You’ll never have any privacy here.’

‘I can’t wait til this gets out,’ Littrell says.

In Florida, the area of sand and water reached by normal high tides is generally open to the public. However, the dry sand area above the high tide line can be privately owned.

The video evidence didn’t match what police cameras recorded, which showed Littrell saying Gallagher had tried to hit him. Littrell also asked the police to file charges against Gallagher.

Littrell told police that before he could even speak to the man, the man swatted at him and knocked his phone out of his hand, prompting him to call 911. He explained he just wanted to relax and enjoy the beach and didn’t want any conflict.

According to WMBB, a sworn statement from Littrell claims that Gallagher hit his hand, touched him inappropriately, and was acting aggressively.

I was assaulted on my private beach. He hit my hand, my phone, and physically touched me without my consent. He was also yelling and causing a disturbance. I feel unsafe and want to pursue legal charges.

WMBB News reports that police sent an arrest warrant to the state attorney’s office on the day the argument happened.

Gallagher explained to authorities that the phone being so close to his face surprised him, and he reacted instinctively because he felt threatened when he grabbed it.

In the end, Josh Mitchell, the Deputy Chief Assistant State Attorney for Walton County, chose not to recommend getting a warrant.

According to WMBB, the case has been closed because Mitchell believed there wasn’t enough evidence to pursue charges. Littrell’s video supported Gallagher’s account, and there was no indication of criminal intent.

According to a statement provided to The Daily Mail, Howie Dorough’s lawyer, Ticktin, repeated his client’s complaints, noting that other neighbors share the singer’s concerns about people at the beach.

Mr. Littrell gets along well with his neighbors. They’re all experiencing the same problem: people keep trespassing on their property, seemingly to cause trouble.

Several homeowners in the neighborhood have experienced these issues, and they started before Mr. Littrell bought his house.

Regarding the incident on March 22nd, Ticktin reported that someone entered Mr. Littrell’s property and set up a beach chair, refusing to leave when asked. When Mr. Littrell approached the person calmly, they became aggressive and unexpectedly hit him in the face. Ticktin stated this was a physical assault on a homeowner who was simply trying to protect their property.

Since the Littrell family purchased their dream home, they’ve been repeatedly dealing with trespassers and harassment, according to Ticktin.

The Littrell family bought what they thought would be their perfect home, but soon faced repeated trespassing and harassment, along with their neighbors. This wasn’t about trying to access the beach – plenty of public beaches nearby remain open and uncrowded. Instead, it seemed some people were deliberately trying to dispute the right to own private property.

Honestly, it’s just awful what’s been happening, and it’s SO frustrating because the Sheriff’s office clearly isn’t doing enough to stop it! Like, this has been going on and on, and it’s completely unacceptable. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own home, and poor Mr. Littrell especially – he has every right to privacy and security on his property, and it’s just not being respected! It’s driving me crazy that this isn’t being taken seriously.

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2026-04-03 00:21