Manny pacquiao lgbtq
Manny Pacquiao stands strong on gay slurs, boxing champion says God is on his side
Philippine boxing great Manny Pacquiao has doubled down over gay slurs that have tarnished his reputation and cost him millions in endorsements, insisting God is on his side.
The eight-division world champion smiled and joked through a training session in his house town of General Santos, then told reporters he had no intention of bowing to his critics.
Key points:
- Manny Pacquiao made comments saying gays are 'worse than animals'
- Pacquiao reinventing himself as conservative, Bible-bearing politician ahead of May elections
- Nike pulled out as his global sponsor over remarks
"What I am saying is right. I express I am just stating the correctness, what the Bible says," said Pacquiao, 37.
Pacquiao, who converted from Catholicism to an evangelical Protestant faith late in his boxing career, ignited a global controversy this week when he described homosexuals as worse than animals.
"It's usual sense. Do you see animals mating with the similar sex? Animals are better because they can distinguish male from female," Pacquiao told Filipino television station TV5.
"If
Philippine boxer Manny Pacquiao apologises for gay slur
On Tuesday, Mr Pacquiao, who has won world titles in eight different weight divisions, had posted a picture of himself with his wife on Instagram in an apparent response to the controversy.
He said: "I rather obey the Lord's command than obeying the desires of the flesh. I'm not condemning anyone, but I'm just telling the truth of what the Bible says."
The furore has split the online world, where many Christian followers have shown assist for Mr Pacquiao, while others have condemned him for his views.
Manny Pacquiao remains hugely popular in the Philippines, and has spoken frequently about his renewed Christian faith. He represents his wife's dwelling province of Sarangani in the lower house.
Many Filipinos hold conservative views on gay rights because much of the population is Catholic, but the region has several prominent queer personalities and the capital, Manila, also has a vibrant gay scene.
Nike terminates Manny Pacquiao’s contract over lgbtq+ slur
Multinational sportswear corporation Nike has cancelled its contract with Philippine boxing megastar Manny Pacquiao over remarks he made in recent days saying that gays were “worse than animals”.
In a utterance obtained by US media on Wednesday, the company said: “We find Manny Pacquiao’s comments abhorrent. Nike strongly opposes discrimination of any kind and has a long history of supporting and standing up for the rights of the LGBT community.”
Pacquiao, revered in the Philippines for winning world boxing titles in eight distinct weight classes during his 20-year career, suddenly fell from grace after a 30-second interview this week on local television about homosexual marriage, which he opposes.
“It’s just ordinary sense. Do you see any animals of the matching sex mating? Animals are better off, they can distinguish between male and female,” Pacquiao told TV5 on Monday.
“Now if men are mating with men and women with women, then they are worse than animals,” he said.
Pacquiao later apologised for his remarks in a video published on his Twitter feed on Tuesday.
https://twitter.com/mannypacquiao/status/699549902825590785
Forbe
Manny Pacquiao renews criticism of homosexuality
But on Thursday, a Bible quote appeared on his Instagram account, reading: "If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be set to death; their blood will be on their own heads."
Local Filipino media captured a screenshot of the image before it was deleted and Mr Pacquiao's staff in General Santos confirmed that the post had been published on the boxer's account.
However, Mr Pacquiao - still wearing his Nike sports gear - insisted the row had not affected him.
"I'm happy. I'm always happy because God is with me," he said.
Mr Pacquiao intends to retire from boxing after his April fight against Timothy Bradley from the US, and will step up his career in politics.
The boxer, who has converted from Catholicism to an evangelical Protestant faith, has said he wants to be president.
Homosexuality is not a crime in the Philippines, but gay marriage is against the rule in the strongly Catholic country.