Grassroots Campaign Springs Up Demanding Advertisers Drop Boxer Manny Pacquiao For Anti-Gay Comments
Top Brands Put On Notice For Supporting Anti-Gay Sports Star Who Said Same-Sex Relationships Are ‘Worse Than Animals’
Nike. Monster energy drinks. Sony. Hennessy. Foot Locker. Wonderful Pistachios. Nestle’s Butterfinger.Â
Those are just some of the internationally recognized brands that have lucrative endorsement deals with one of the world’s top boxers, Manny Pacquiao. Forbes ranks Pacquiao as the world’s #2 highest paid sports figure.
Pacquiao ran into trouble a few years ago when he condemned same-sex marriage in an interview in which a journalist added in a biblical reference to Leviticus that Pacquiao had not made. But Pacquiao is solidly homophobic, and sure enough, made his anti-gay beliefs quite clear in an interview with a Philippine TV station.
“Have you seen any animal having male-to-male or female-to-female relations?†Pacquiao asked local TV5. “If you have male-to-male or female-to-female (relationships), then people are worse than animals.â€
He called his anti-gays views “common sense.â€
On Instagram, Pacquiao didn’t help himself any.
“I’m sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for those I’ve hurt,” he said, refusing to change his views.
“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.”
Now, New York City based LGBT activist and graphic designer Scott Wooledge has launched a campaign asking these top brands to drop Pacquiao.
I am DONE eating “Wonderful Pistachios” until @getcrackin takes hateful #Mannypaquiao is off my TV screen. #LGBT pic.twitter.com/gXUuPHlzgR
— Scott Wooledge (@Clarknt67) February 16, 2016
Wooledge is also the founder of Memeographs, which he’s used to activate fellow activists and draw attention to important causes. He posted these tweets today:
FYI: #MannyPacquiao earned $12M in 2015 as the face of @Nike @footlocker @getcrackin and @Nestle brands. #LGBT pic.twitter.com/pQ6kIW4CO2
— Memeographs (@memeographs) February 16, 2016
Until @nike denounces spokesman @mannypacquiao‘s hate, we can be sure #BeTrue was an empty marketing gimmick. #LGBT pic.twitter.com/6UppxOVsVu
— Memeographs (@memeographs) February 16, 2016
.@Butterfinger has a “most legit” reason to fire hateful @mannypacquiao. I suggest @Nestle do so quickly. #LGBT pic.twitter.com/GUGnWIEN13
— Memeographs (@memeographs) February 16, 2016
Will you to clarify today if @nike is “on the same page” with spokesman @mannypacquiao on gay people, or not? #LGBT https://t.co/UirMoCurXT
— Memeographs (@memeographs) February 16, 2016
Others on Twitter are expressing their outrage over Pacquiao’s anti-gay hate:
whois the first company that @mannypacquiao endorses back out of endorsement deals? @Nike @footlocker @Nestle @MonsterEnergy @HennessyUS?
— bubuy™ (@iambubuy) February 16, 2016
i would hate to carry the burden of intolerance that #Mannypaquiao carries with him. I won’t let his beliefs ruin my feelings. i pity him.
— Dan (@LarryBirdzUncle) February 16, 2016
It must be sad to be so insecure, so petty and ignorant a human being that the sexual orientation of others scares you #Mannypaquiao
— William Kendall (@WilliamKendall1) February 16, 2016
You just lost me here #Mannypaquiao 👎🼠https://t.co/ZhuOCOiWYF
— Thess Castillo (@thesscastillo) February 16, 2016
@Nike has to surely cancel Manny #Pacquiao ‘s endorsement deal right ? #homophobe
— Bhupinder Buttar (@Bhupinderbuttar) February 16, 2016
#Mannypaquiao doesn’t realize racists compare people like him 2 animals. Let’s hope this ends his political career https://t.co/8umWJVqVkv
— ThisHeartsOnFire (@JustAnotherRich) February 16, 2016
International media is taking notice Manny Pacquiao’s homophobic slurs. I hope they cancel all his endorsements @Nike @HP @LiveSmart
— Haroun Pandapatan (@Hello_PandaH) February 15, 2016
#Mannypaquiao is apparently further proof that being famous does not make someone fit to represent people. As if we needed any more proof.
— Kieren Westwood (@KierenWestwood_) February 16, 2016
Businesses and brands that @mannypacquiao endorse need to think hard if they wish to be associated with someone who sees LGBT as animals.
— Pipo (@pipodelrosario) February 16, 2016
#Mannypaquiao comment on gays deplorable. What a bigoted, disgusting, very #TedNugent thing to say. #Bigotry born from stupidity.
— Occam (@OccamRazorsEdge) February 16, 2016
I guess #Mannypaquiao should do some research. Tons of “animals” are gay. https://t.co/ZQAART6aI3 Shit thing to say but, y’know, religion.
— Caitie Mac (@caitie__mac) February 16, 2016
Since Manny Pacquiao is a big homophobe and he endorse Nike.. ill defenitely go with Adidas now.. https://t.co/eALB6PxeCM
— kian lanzar (@kian_lanzar) February 15, 2016
@mannypacquiao SHAME on u! U never protected LGBTs in Congress & now this slur? Aside from that u were absent yet ur paid. @DYANCASTILLEJO
— Ryan Silverio (@ryanvsilverio) February 16, 2016
@mashable @mannypacquiao cancel his endorsements @Nike
— Thysz (@thysz) February 16, 2016
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Image by Scott Wooledge via TwitterÂ

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