Manny Pacquio was a bloody fine boxer.
The 37-year-old has always also been an inspiration to people in his native Philippines, thanks to his sporting career, political endeavours and the charity work he undertakes to improve the lives of the many, many impoverished people in his country.
But he has found himself in a fairly major shitstorm today after he outlined his controversial, and pretty disgusting views on homosexuality.
The boxer is hoping to run for election in his native country later this year again after previously winning a seat in the House of Representatives, and ahead of the Senate election he has shocked many with his comments on homosexuality and his very strong objection to the possibility of gay marriage in the mostly Catholic country.
“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.”
Pacquaio has rarely spoken about gay marriage or given any indication about the topic before and his comments have caused a major backlash with #paryformannypacquiao trending today.
The country’s most popular gay comedian started the backlash.
The LGBT is a group of people. We are humans. But not animals. Though we're no saints we will pray for Manny Pacquiao.
— jose marie viceral (@vicegandako) February 16, 2016
And many others followed suit.
About time #MannyPacquiao is put in his place – in the ring, not in gov't. Filipinos do not need a moron in Senate. #PrayForMannyPacquiao
— ilda (@ilda_talk) February 16, 2016
https://twitter.com/TheJakolDiaries/status/699510877037289472
https://twitter.com/AngBoyfriendMo/status/699513218859823104
https://twitter.com/acbaldos/status/699538030273519616
https://twitter.com/frannyprempeh/status/699537633735811072
https://twitter.com/arvin_zurc/status/699537632590561280
https://twitter.com/_christineann/status/699537477439135746
And this morning Joey Barton has also condemned the comments.
Really hope recent comments attributed to @mannypacquiao are false. Shows how religious doctrine can warp even the seemingly decent mind.
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) February 16, 2016
Pacquiao is a huge global star who transcended his sport. He is politically motivated to help less privileged people. His comments…
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) February 16, 2016
Are absurd and show a lack of intellect. Someone in his position should keep his ignorant bigotry private. His source of knowledge?
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) February 16, 2016
A book that has historically proven over the course of humanity, as a work of fiction. Not to be taken literally. In fact, dangerous if.
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) February 16, 2016
