Pinoy begins online petition for Nike to drop Pacquiao for LGBT comments

A New York-based Filipino has petitioned shoe brand Nike to cut ties with Manny Pacquiao over the boxer's comments comparing gay people to animals.

In the website change.org, Aries Dela Cruz started gathering signatories on a pledge to boycott Nike products until the brand breaks their sponsorship deals with Pacman.

The Sarangani representative, who is running for senator in the May elections, said gay sex couples are "worse than animals" when asked about his views on same-sex marriage.

"Pacquiao's expressions of homophobia and bigotry disqualifies him from being honored, endorsed and sponsored by one of the world's largest publicly-traded and owned athletic companies," the petition read.

Nearly 1,500 netizens have signed the petition, including cultural activist Carlos Celdran.

Nike is a supporter of the LGBT Sports Coalition, an initiative to "end discrimination in sport," which the company helped found in 2011.

Pacquiao's statement received backlash on social media, with celebrities and LGBT advocates expressing their disapproval.

The Filipino ring icon has since apologized for offending the gay community, but held firm on his belief that same-sex marriage is considered a sin in Christian values.

Dela Cruz urged Nike to lend their support to the LGBT cause and cease its association with Pacquiao.

"We call upon Nike to stand with the global LGBT community to send a strong and clear message of respect, inclusion, and tolerance to for  athletes, gay or straight, as well as their fans and consumers," he said. —Marisse Panaligan/JST, GMA News