Pacquiao's anti-gay comments get him barred from LA mall

(Updated 6:40 p.m.) Manny Pacquiao's comments in Los Angeles regarding gay marriage have landed him in hot water, even getting him barred from the LA shopping center "The Grove."  However, US-based Filipino writer Granville Ampong has already issued a statement saying that writers Tom Weir of USA TODAY and LA Weekly's Dennis Romero misquoted him and Pacquiao. Pacquiao was scheduled to appear on the American entertainment show "Extra" with host Mario Lopez for an interview segment at LA's "The Grove," where the program regularly shoots live.   But because of Pacquiao's widely circulated statement regarding homosexuals to the Examiner last weekend, "The Grove" decided to cancel the interview, and said later in a statement that Pacquiao was "not welcome at The Grove and will not be interviewed here now or in the future."  

Boxer Manny Pacquiao is not welcome @TheGroveLA. @TheGroveLA is a gathering place for all Angelenos, not a place for intolerance. — The Grove LA (@TheGroveLA) May 16, 2012        

"The Grove" is owned by Los Angeles mayoral candidate Rick Caruso, while the Examiner is a web site that publishes articles with a socially conservative point of view. Pacquiao's comments were made to Ampong.    Last week, in an interview with the Examiner, Pacquiao aligned himself against American president Barack Obama's position on gay marriage, saying, "God's words first... obey God's law first before considering the laws of man." Pacquiao has in recent months undergone a much-hyped conversion from a high-living, gambling, womanizing sportsman to a Bible-quoting model husband.    President Obama cited the Golden Rule as justification for same-sex marriage, saying, "Treat others the way you would want to be treated."   The Roman Catholic Pacquiao seemingly quoted Leviticus 20:13, which reads, "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 hands." Quoting a Biblical passage that calls for the murder of gays is bound to be incendiary in a society culturally divided between liberals and conservatives.    Pacquiao's position has triggered a backlash, with most notably, New York alternative press publication, "The Village Voice" posting an article on their blog entitled, "Ten Gays Who Could Beat The Crap Out of Manny Pacquiao."  He is also the target of an online signature campaign that aims to have sportswear company Nike drop him as an endorser.   Locally, Rev. Ceejay Agbayani, an openly gay pastor of Metropolitan Community Church of Quezon City, reacted angrily to Manny Pacquiao’s statement in a Facebook message to GMA News Online, saying, "The Bible is about love and not hate. Please do not use the bible to hate the LGBT. God made us this way. Get over it!   Pacquiao though is not without supporters. Former beauty queen and actress Miriam Quiambao, who famously drew flack for her tweets regarding homosexuals last month, tweeted earlier Wednesday, “I think it is right that Pacquiao should stand for God’s law. I support him on this one.” 

@WilsonLeeFlores I think it is right that Pacquiao should stand for God's law. I support him on this one. — Miriam Quiambao (@miriamq) May 16, 2012        

Pacquiao is currently in Los Angeles as part of his training regimen, in preparation for a bout with Timothy Bradley on June 9 (June 10, PHL time), at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. - Mac Macapendeg and Audrey Domasian/AMD/HS, GMA News