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.”

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.