Manny Pacquiao Banned From Popular LA Mall for Gay Comments
Manny Pacquiao has lost more than just a Nike contract and supporters after speaking out about his stance on homosexuality. Now the Christian Filipino boxer has been banned from the popular oudoor retail and entertainment complex in Los Angeles, California, known as The Grove.
Pacquiao and his entourage caught a movie at The Grove recently, but the mall's owner Rick Caruso said Pacquiao would be banned from the resort-like mall that plays host to many celebrities and Hollywood events.
"Manny Pacquiao is no longer welcome," The Grove owner Rick Caruso told TMZ. "These are statements of hatred. A lot of people from the gay community come to The Grove and they have a right not to feel uncomfortable."
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The statement from the mall owner comes one month after Pacquiao made international headlines for saying in a TV interview in his home country that he is opposed to homosexuality and referencing animals in his explanation.
"It's common sense. Do you see animals mating with the same sex? Animals are better because they can distinguish male from female," Pacquiao told Filipino television station TV5. "If men mate with men and women mate with women, they are worse than animals."
The pugilist and Filipino politician vying for a senatorial position in his home country was previously banned from the mall four years ago for using the Bible to support his stance on homosexuality.
"Based on news reports of statements made by Mr. Pacquiao, we have made it be known that he is not welcome at The Grove and will not be interviewed here now or in the future," a previous tweet from The Grove account read in 2012, according to LA Times. "The Grove is a gathering place for all Angelenos and not a place for intolerance."
Although the ban was eventually lifted, Pacquiao has angered the mall's officials once again. After his initial comments concerning the LGBT community last month, the eight-division world champion boxer has apologized for offending people.
"I'm sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for those I've hurt," Pacquiao wrote as a caption for an Instagram video last month. "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 the pugilist is focusing on his next fight against Timothy Bradley on April 9. After that, he may be headed to the Olympics.
"It would be my honour to represent the country in the Olympics," he told AFP earlier this month. "If I would be asked to represent boxing, why not. I would do everything for my country."
