Manny Pacquiao has apologized to the
gay community after he was misquoted as saying that gay men “must
be put to death.”
The trouble began with an interview in
The Examiner which asked the 33-year-old Filipino boxer his
opinion on gay marriage.
Pacquiao took issue with President
Barack Obama citing his faith in making his endorsement of gay
marriage. The author quoted the Old Testament book of Leviticus
20:13, saying: “If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman,
both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to
death; their blood will be on their own heads.”
The reference made it appear as if
Pacquiao was agreeing with the biblical passage and many outlets
quoted him as making the reference himself.
The controversy over the comments
prompted the Grove outdoor shopping center in Los Angeles to ban
Pacquiao from the mall as he was preparing to tape an interview with
the celebrity news show Extra, which regularly films at the
popular mall.
“Based on news reports of statements
made by Mr. Pacquiao, we have made it known that he is not welcome at
the Grove and will not be interviewed here now or in the future,”
mall operators said in a statement. “The Grove is a gathering
place for all Angelenos and not a place for intolerance.”
Pacquiao on Wednesday clarified his
comments in an interviewer with The
Los Angeles Times.
“What I said is a reporter asked me
about gay marriage … I am against gay marriage, but I'm not
condemning gays,” the boxer said. “I have family – a cousin –
who's gay, and friends too. I'm just against gay marriage. I don't
even want to talk about the issue, but I was asked about it, so I
gave my opinion.”
In his interview with Extra,
which was filmed at an alternate location, Pacquiao apologized: “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!”