Manny Pacquiao Apologizes For Saying ‘Gay People Are Worse Than Animals,’ Reiterates Anti-Gay Stance

Boxer Manny Pacquiao caused a stir earlier this week when he said that gay people are “worse than animals” in an interview.

Manny Pacquiao On Homosexuality

Pacquaio, a member of the House of Representatives in the Philippines who is seeking a Senate seat, opened up about his thoughts on LGBT men and women while talking to TV5.

“It’s only common sense. Would you see any species of animals who engage in male to male, female to female sexual relations? Animals, then, are better than humans in that sense,” Pacquiao is quoted as saying in Tagalog. “They know how to distinguish males from females. If people then engage in male to male, female to female relations, then they are worse than animals.”

After facing significant backlash for the offensive remarks, Pacquaio took to Instagram to distance himself from the notion. While he maintained his stance against same-sex marriage, the champion boxer offered an apology for “hurting people” with his comparison.

“I’m sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for those I’ve hurt,” he wrote on Instagram. “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.”

A video posted by Manny Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) on Feb 16, 2016 at 2:35am PST

On Wednesday, however, Pacquiao reiterated his feelings about homosexuality with an Instagram post featuring a snap of him and his wife. The picture of the married pair is captioned with several Bible verses that are often quoted by those who believe that homosexuality is a sin.

Luke 6:22-23 [22] Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. [23] “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. “Leviticus 18:22 “[22] “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable. Leviticus 20:13 “[13] “ ‘If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 “[9] Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men [10] nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. John 8:32 “[32] Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” God Bless everyone. A photo posted by Manny Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) on Feb 17, 2016 at 8:15am PST