Boxing champion and Sarangani Province representative Manny Pacquiao, known for straying into arenas other than the prizefighting rink (like basketball, music, film acting, hosting, and politics) has recently thrown a punch at the LGBT community.
In an interview posted on TV5’s election website, Manny shared his disagreement with same sex marriage, citing his faith and belief in the Bible’s admonition regarding homosexuality. Now, had he stopped at that point, it would have been considered a simple expression of his personal opinion and values. But he continued with his next statement, and this is what drew first blood.
Round one.
Elaborating on his stand against same sex marriage, Manny was quoted to have said: “It’s common sense. Do you see animals mating with the same sex? Animals are better because they can distinguish male from female. If men mate with men and women mate with women they are worse than animals.”
You can almost hear the collective gasp of the LGBT community. Some in disbelief at what the Pambansang Kamao just uttered; some in outrage at the harsh comparison.
ON THE NEXT PAGE: What the celebs had to say
Celebrities took up the cudgels and fielded their own punches.
Popular TV show host Vice Ganda posted a number of tweets, among them:
Singer Aiza Seguerra, who married her partner Liza Dino last year, called Manny an “ignorant, bigoted hypocrite.”
Transgender actress Bb. Gandanghari: “Kung hindi ka sangayon sa same sex marriage oo malinaw sa amin yun pero para sabihing mas masahol pa sahayop? ibang usapan na yan… so here is the COMMON SENSE, kung sayo sabihin na MAS MASAHOL PA SA HAYOP kahit hindi ka parte ng LGBT matutuwa kaba?”
Lea Salonga, a strong supporter of LGBT rights, also posted a message on Twitter:
Talk show host Boy Abunda composed his own heated message which he shared on his show: “Last point: common sense ang pina-uusapan natin. Tatakbo ka para senador? Ito ang aking katanungan, ito ang personal ko lamang na tanong: palagay mo ba iboboto ko – mga kababayan dito sa studio, sa inyong mga bahay – iboboto ko ba ang isang tao na ang tingin sa akin ay hindi isang tao? Iboboto ko ba ang isang tao na ang tingin sa akin ay mas masahol pa sa hayop? Manny, ang kasagutan, salita mo: common sense.'”
ON THE NEXT PAGE: LGBT members and supporters share their views on the issue and its effect on kids of LGBT couples.
Rounding up the Rainbow
Some non-celebrity members of the LGBT community also had these to say:
Tatum Ancheta, Lifestyle Editor, The Standard: “There may be some LGBT members who give the community a bad name but there are others who serve the community, are successful in their chosen fields, respected by others, and just like him, a parent to kids. LGBT are human beings, the only difference we have with Hetero is we love differently.
“(When issues like this surface, kids of gay couples) will get teased and laughed at. But if their parents raised them well it shouldn’t be a problem. Sometimes, LGBT kids grow up to be more open, tougher, more mature and more understanding. As for the gay couple, if it were me, I will just laugh at Manny, and see his statement as a funny remark. But they should be ready to answer questions when their kids start to ask things about it.”
Read: Gay mother raising her son: My son saw me kissing a girl in the bathroom
Jerry Benedict C. Rosete: “The Bill of Rights allows Mr. Pacquiao to air his sentiments and opinions on issues relating to the LGBT community; but like any other freedom, the right is not absolute. His right to free speech ends where it impinges upon the right of others. Clearly, his misplaced analogy that same-sex marriage puts gays and lesbians a rung lower than animals is a reckless disregard to dignity and humanity. It is an unconscionable behavior because it utterly betrays the bedrock of what he spiritually espouses: LOVE.”
Jayme N.: “People like Pacquiao say things like this to make a statement. They come and go. LGBT always persevere because they are used to this. It is just unfortunate that someone has to use (them) every now and then to get attention.
“(As far as its effects on kids of LGBT couples), I believe that if you raise a child in love, patience,and understanding, he/she will grow to be a good person. So this will just be shrugged off, and we will continue to be fabulous and carry on.”
ON THE NEXT PAGE: Pacman in a losing fight + his apology video
The Kamao says sorry
The onslaught of blows prompted Manny to issue a public apology. Initially, he explained: “I’d 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.” Later on, he assumed a more reconciliatory tone:”I’m sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for those I’ve hurt. I still stand on my belief that I’m against same sex marriage because of what the Bible says, but I’m not condemning LGBT. I love you all with the love of the Lord. God Bless you all and I’m praying for you.”
The judges are divided on this one. Some quarters are ready to forgive and even laud him for making his stand on this controversial issue. Others are less forbearing and may very well remember this assault on their lifestyle preferences come election time. Clearly, not a unanimous decision.
Manny Pacquiao is running for a Senate seat under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) party in May this year. He has also come under public scrutiny because he had reported for work in Congress only 4 times last year. Alas, from the looks of it, he may have just lost the LGBT vote.
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