‘A backward step’: local LGBT groups call on clubs to drop Manny Pacquiao broadcast following boxer’s anti-gay slurs
The Filipino fighter-turned-politician ignited uproar when he said people in same-sex marriages ‘worse than animals’, but Foreign Correspondents Club still airing April 10 bout, arguing it does not condone his homophobic views
Private members’ bars in Hong Kong are being urged to drop the screening of Manny Pacquiao’s latest boxing match in Las Vegas next Sunday following his homophobic slur stating people in same-sex marriages were “worse than animals”.
While an apology quickly followed, the 37-year-old boxer maintained he was against gay marriage but “not condemning [the] LGBT” community.
Manny Pacquiao was just being true to himself – as an unapologetic homophobe
Pacquiao, a former eight division world champion, faces American Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas on Saturday night (Sunday morning in Hong Kong) for what he said would be his last pro bout.
The Foreign Correspondents’ Club, which is among the establishments televising the bout, was urged to drop its screening.
Earlier this year the Central-based club – a popular watering hole for journalists – hosted a month-long photo exhibition called “Queers of Hong Kong”, depicting life stories in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual community – the community of people Pacquiao railed against.
