Shortly after gay activists came out with their glittered pitchforks (and rightfully so) over boxer Manny Pacquiao's homophobic comments in a recent magazine article, journalist Granville Ampong claims that it was "biased" reporters such as Tom Weir from USA Today and Dennis Romero from LA Weekly for twisting the facts, especially the part that Pacquiao resorted to using Leviticus to back his beliefs.
Ampong says it was he who added Leviticus to the story:
In Granville Ampong’s article, the fighting congressman-preacher voiced his opposition against homosexual union, but what irked the gay community the most was the Bible verse allegedly quoted by Pacquiao.
The verse, which came from Leviticus 20:13, says: "If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads."
Ampong clarified that Pacquiao was not quoted saying the verse, nor did the boxer invoke it during their interview.
Ampong said he merely used the verse to remind “how God made it clear in the Old Testament time that such practice of same-sex marriage is detestable and strictly forbidden.”
What is confusing me about this article is while the reporter is backpeddling and attempting to take the heat on himself, Pacquiao has clarified his remarks, saying, "I only voiced out my opinion that same-sex marriage is against the law of God. I’m not against homosexuals. I have a relative who is also gay. We cannot do anything if they were born that way. What I do not want is when you disobey the commandment of God."
So what I'm thinking is that Pacquiao did say what he said about gays but the reporter added the bible verse to give the story more juice. Manny was supposed to be interviewed in The Grove this week by Extra host Mario Lopez, but after the shit hit the fan the boxer was banned from being interviewed there. I also heard that the Courage Campaign is calling for Nike to drop Pacquiao as their spokesperson, which worries me because while I know people in the U.S. are protected by the First Amendment (I know Manny is from the Phillippines but is he even a citizen here?), it becomes a slippery slope when you atart messing with people's livelihood when you publicky say something that a particular group doesn't like.
The LA Times explains:
Pacquiao spokesman Fred Sternburg told The Times that the boxer will be interviewed by "Extra" host Mario Lopez at another location. The show is usually taped at The Grove.
Sternburg also said the controversy has been blown out of proportion by inaccurate comment's about his position. "[Manny's] not supportive of gay marriage, but he has nothing against gay people," he said.
The Grove announced the ban Tuesday evening.
"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. The Grove is a gathering place for all Angelenos and not a place for intolerance," the Grove said in a statement.
...
In an interview with National Conservative Examiner, Pacquiao addressed President Obama's recent endorsement of gay marriage.
"God's words first ... obey God's law first before considering the laws of man," Pacquiao told the Examiner. "God only expects man and woman to be together and to be legally married. It should not be of the same sex, so as to adulterate the altar of matrimony, like in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah."
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