Former Australian PM, athletes blast Manny Pacquiao for stand on same-sex relationships

After being attacked in social media and by the LGBT community for his opinion on same-sex affairs, Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao has now earned the ire of politicians and other athletes.

Pacquiao, 37, called people who engage in same-sex relationships as worse than animals. “It’s common sense,” Pacquiao said. In Filipino, he continued, “Do you see any animal that mate with the same sex? Animals are better then, because they know how to tell the difference between males and females. If men mate with men, and women mate with women, they are worse than animals.”

The eight-time world champion made this comment on the election site of TV5, a Filipino television network. Currently a local congressman representing the province of Sarangani in Mindanao region, he is aspiring for a seat in the Philippine senate in the upcoming national elections.

Kevin Rudd, former Australian prime minister, took to Twitter to express his disagreement with Pacquiao’s controversial stand. “Homophobia not acceptable Manny. People don't just choose their sexuality like a suit of clothes,” he wrote.

Joseph Barton, an English professional footballer who plays for Championship club Burnley posted a series of tweets in response to Pacquiao’s remark. He wrote, “Shows how religious doctrine can warp even the seemingly decent mind.” While he regarded Pacquiao as “a huge global star who transcended his sport,” Barton says the boxer’s comments are “absurd and show a lack of intellect. Someone in his position should keep his ignorant bigotry private.”

Jason Collins, a retired NBA player who publicly came out as gay, also slammed Pacquiao. Collins wrote, “@mannypacquiao I lost all respect for you. Bigoted people like you (& yes you are one) should never hold an office in politics. #ByeFelicia”

In addition to his viral video, Pacquiao also posted a photo of himself with his wife, Jinkee, in Instagram. He quoted the Bible and wrote, “I rather obey the Lord’s command than obeying the desire of the flesh. I’m not condemning anyone, but I’m just telling the truth of what the Bible says.”

After receiving backlash not only from his fellow Filipinos but from global personalities, as well, Pacquiao issued a video apology and posted it on his Instagram account. He also accompanied it with a translation, writing “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.”

Pacquiao’s last boxing bout was in May 2015, wherein he was beaten by Floyd Mayweather, who now remains undefeated.