GenSan gays give Pacquiao a hearing

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Members of the LGBT (lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender) community here appealed for sobriety and restraint amid the uproar generated by boxing champ and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao’s outspoken stance against same-sex marriage.

The appeal was made by Bong Barcelona, 45, a member of the LGBT community here during a fellowship dinner with Pacquiao.

“We knew Manny Pacquiao for a long time even before he became a famous boxer. I can testify that he’s a good person at heart. It’s not his attitude to discriminate against anybody but he is frank in expressing what he believes is right,” Barcelona said.

Barcelona and the more than 50 other members of LGBT community here thanked Pacquiao for “being a good and supportive friend” to them.

Barcelona revealed that Pacquiao even hired some of their members in his string of businesses.

“His statement, in a way, hurts us but if you know him as a person you can move on easily and understand what he said,” Barcelona added.

Barcelona said some groups have been scrambling to take advantage of the issue and get the votes of the LGBT community.

Jhun Ador Feliciano, also a member of the LGBT community, posted on his Facebook account: “At sa mga kapwa bakla na kagaya ko nagagalit tayo na ikompara sa hayop pero kung maka react kayo, pinapatunayan nyo lang na ka level nyo ang hayop. Kung mataas ang antas ng pinag-aralan natin ipakita natin.” (And to my fellow gays who, just like me, is angry over being compared to an animal, but who have reacted in such a way they’re showing they are the same level as animals. If we have indeed attained a high level of education, then let’s show that in our actions.)

Pacquiao has apologized for comparing gays to animals.

He said he was not judging or condemning the LGBTs but he was merely expressing what he believed was right based on what he read from the Bible.

Pacquiao remains firm on his stand against same-sex marriage, claiming that it is against the will of God.

Nike has dropped Pacquiao as an endorser.  Pacquiao has revealed in television interviews that he respects Nike’s decision but said he has not been a paid endorser since 2014, adding Nike was just providing him sports apparel and rubber shoes in his fights.  SFM