Local LGBT members rally behind Pacman
By Aquiles Z. Zonio
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 17 Feb 2016
GENERAL SANTOS CITY ? Members of the LGBT community here have appealed for sobriety and restraint amid the uproar generated by Manny Pacquiao?s outspoken stance on same-sex marriage.
The appeal was made by Bong Barcelona, 45, a member of LGBT community here during a fellowship dinner with Pacquiao on Tuesday.
?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 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 claimed the sad thing about what happened was some groups are now riding on the issue to get the votes of the LGBT community.
Jhun Ador Feliciano, also a member of LGBT community, posted on his Facebook account ?Og sa mga kapwa bakla na kagaya ko nagagalit tayo na ikompara sa hayop pro kung maka react kayo pinapatunayan nyo lang na ka level nyo ang hayop. Kong mataas ang antas ng pinag-aralan natin ipakita natin.?
Pacquiao sparked anger from the LGBT community when he made an outspoken remarks against same-sex marriage.
The Filipino boxing idol explained he is not judging or condemning the LGBTs but he is merely expressing what he believes is right based on what he read from the Bible.
He had already posted an apology on his Facebook and Instagram accounts.
He asked sorry for saying that engaging in ?same-sex marriage? is worse than the behavior of an animal.
Pacquiao, however, remains firm on his stand against same-sex marriage, claiming that it is against the will of God.
Based on the people?s reactions on social media, those who rallied behind Pacquiao?s stand dwarfed the number of the combined sympathizers of Aiza Seguerra, Vice Ganda and Boy Abunda.
Those who supported Pacquiao?s stance praised him for standing by the truth and for what he believes is right.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Aquiles Z. Zonio.
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