In the controversial statement, Pacquiao said even animals do not engage in same sex (sexual) relationship. But he later clarified that his stand on the issue is based on what he read in the Bible.
“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]. They know how to distinguish males from females,” said Pacquiao in an analogy.
“If people then engage in male to male, female to female relations, then they are worse than animals,” he added.
Johnson is a retired NBA player who steered LA Lakers as point guard for 13 years to become one of NBA’s Most Valuable Players before his first retirement in 1991.
In his Twitter post on Feb. 17, Johnson praised Nike Sportswear for terminating the services of Pacquiao as one of its major endorsers. He also said he will no longer watch Pacquiao’s future fights as he used to whenever he fights in the US.
Here are some of Magic Johnson’s postings on his Twitter page:
“I won’t be watching another one of Manny Pacquiao’s fights.” said Johnson, who has a gay son and also known for his HIV activism.
“Fans of all walks of life including gay fans supported May/Pac fight putting $100M in his pocket. I guess to him their money is still green.” he said.
“I applaud Nike for terminating Manny Pacquiao’s contract after his derogatory statements that gay people are worse than animals,” he added.
For his part, Pacquiao said he isn’t bothered by the continuing attack by members of the the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community as he already explained his side of the story.
“I believe I have said my piece on the same-sex-marriage issue and I have nothing more to say,” he said when asked about the boycott threat while on training in General Santos City for his upcoming fight.
