Manny Pacquiao to Gay Community: 'I Apologize'

May 16, 2012 Hot Topics

“Extra” host Mario Lopez spoke with professional boxer Manny Pacquiao to clarify his recent comments about same-sex marriage.

Manny Pacquiao to Gay Community: 'I Apologize'

“I want to clarify that I didn’t say I wanted all gays put to death,” explained Pacquiao. “The reporter asked me a question. He said, ‘Obama is in favor of legalizing gay marriage and what’s your opinion?’ He asked me about my opinion and I told him my opinion that that I don’t agree, and I’m against same sex marriage, but I didn’t say that I’m condemning the gays because, you know, I have relatives. I have gay relatives and friends. That’s all I said to the reporter.”

What would the fighter like to say to the gay community now? “To the gay community, I apologize. I’m against same sex marriage, but I’m not condemning you. My favorite verse is ‘Love one another as you love yourself. Love your neighbor.’ So, I love everybody!”

For the complete interview with Manny Pacquiao, tune in to "Extra" on Thursday, May 17.

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Comments

Vonnie
370 days ago

Put an end to all this. Marriage has been defined and its a union of a man and woman. If gays want the same rights, don't call it a marriage, call it a gayrriage, defined as a union between two of the same sex. Add it to the dictionary and let it be what it is.

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olrac
370 days ago

People should e-mail The Examiner at “legal@examiner.com” and voice your opinion about Granville Ampong’s poorly written article that caused all of this brouhaha. Maybe they will do something about it.

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John
371 days ago

President Obama is trying to turn America into a "PIGGERY" when it comes to the law of marriages! This same sex marriage is "hate of the law," a "counterfeit liberty" for spiritual uncertain, but NOT HOPELESS, people to proceed with that spiritual deceit of Lucifer/Satan the devil, to act beastly or ABNORMAL, sexually in this instance! Homosexuals HAVE HOPE in Christ Jesus/God, Lord and Saviour. And this WAS America up to JFK: A Christian hope giving and inspiring nation before.

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enriquem
371 days ago

Granville Ampong should personally apologize to Pacquaio for the brouhaha he's created. Clarifying what he's written is not enough to make amends for the negativity that Pacquiao had incurred. Fortunately, The Grove Mall in LA has reversed its decision and is now welcoming Pacquiao with open arms.

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mike
371 days ago

this is why mixing religion and politics is the same as juggling 3 angry tigers while walking on a tight rope with 100 hungry crocodiles underneath.

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MARK
371 days ago

Ok here's the deal...Manny "loves" everybody which I can believe. But if I agree with that assumption I can also assume that his religion commands him to love his God above all even above his children (yes it's kinda extreme but it is what it is). So technically he's not being a hypocrite. Now do I agree with all religious doctrines? absolutely not. IMO the term "marriage" and civil unions have been blurred into something messy. I say get rid of the term "married" in civil unions. Every religion should have their own terms when it comes to religious unions. But ultimately it is religion in general that is the problem by forcing it's followers to beleive or act against opposing groups and ideas. There is no easy answer here. As a politician/leader, Manny is also in a tough position because he has to be firm with his position on tough issues and make it known to everyone just like here in our country. Just comes with the territory I guess. Who knows, he might change his mind later just like Obama. But being a "flip-flopper" is considered a weakness in a leader (see Romney) so again it's a tough gig.

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jelly
371 days ago

Pacquiao had to apologize for being misquoted and that's awkward. He regrets the negative impact that the article made however, he still holds true to his faith.

If you watched the interview, it is clear that he shows regret for the negative impacts of the false statement.

Marriage is a sacrament of Christianity. Marriage is also a covenant that the Gay Community is fighting for. I don't think he's homophobic. I don't even think he's catholic anymore. I just think a reporter caught him off guard with a random question, and I think it's pretty obvious that he answered that way because it is common knowledge that he is christian.

As far as "bullying"...why don't we invite Pacquiao to attend that Dress Like a Jesus Hunk contest in the park, put out by the drag dressing community? What I am saying is that I think respect needs to be gathered from both sides of the spectrum, before demanding his endorsements be stripped from him for comments that he didn't make.

Loving one another...Pacquiao slept on the streets, learned to fight, thanked God for his talents, and wishes to serve his country and gives to the poor on a regular basis. And he is sorry. Commendable yet?

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Jay
371 days ago

While everybody is entitled to their own opinion and while I am glad to find out that Mr. Pacquiao did not quote scripture calling for the death of gays, Mr. Pacquiao's response to this problem is problematic in itself. Per Mr. Pacquiao: “To the gay community, I apologize. I’m against same sex marriage, but I’m not condemning you. My favorite verse is ‘Love one another as you love yourself. Love your neighbor.’ So, I love everybody!”

So, Mr. Pacquiao, I suggest you go back to the propaganda drawing-board.

It appears you love yourself enough to enter into a relationship with the woman you love and raise 4 children with her.

But...If you truly loved your neighbor as yourself, you would recognize that not all your neighbors worship the same god...or even worship a god at all. While nobody in the marriage equality movement is demanding to be married by a priest in a Catholic Church, you can maintain your faith AND love your neighbor by supporting marriage equality in the PUBLIC SQUARE. As a politician, actually, it should be priority for you.

Maybe you can see how "loving your neighbor" in your statement above is just words from a book you read, but not truly words you chose to live by.

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instylemom
371 days ago

I am utterly amazed that the bulling continues from the camps of the gay population. Why are bulling tactics allowed by the gay population? Caruso is practicing the same intolerance that he finds intolerable. In a place we call America, land of the free, freedom of speech. Where men and women have died for that freedom, where history was made to promote equality and here Caruso is using his limited power to ban Pacquiao from The Grove due to an "Opinion". This act alone is unconstitutional and there is no law to uphold his ban. There is no way that I would vote for a horomonal man for mayor that is in need of anger managment. If he swiftly acts on this misquote from Pacquiao, how swiftly will he make errorneous decisions if in office. I vote No on Caruso. Promote Peace.

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