Now, Who Is the Bigot?': Magazine Editor Has a Message for the LGBT Community Amid Manny Pacquiao Anti-Gay Marriage Controversy

A Filipino magazine editor has released an open letter to the LGBT community, urging its members to "put things into perspective" and learn the true definition of "bigot" before going after boxer Manny Pacquiao over his recent comments in which he compared gays to animals.

While Ira V. Panganiban, editor of Wheels Philippines Magazine, said in a Facebook post that he understands concerns over Pacquiao's remarks and admitted that the outspoken Christian boxer was a "bit insensitive," he also defended Pacquiao's right to free speech.

"He was asked his opinion on public television," Panganiban wrote. "It's not as if Pacquiao was walking around preaching and telling people how to act and what to do."

Panganiban went on to say that Pacquiao isn't one to dictate to others how they should be, imploring the boxer's critics to take a moment to consider all of the details before reacting.

"Let's put things into perspective before you hang the dude. Perez Hilton, a USA based blogger, asked Pacquiao what his stand on same sex marriage was. Pacquiao gave his opinion," the editor continued. "Yes it may have hurt, but it was his opinion."

As TheBlaze previously reported, Pacquiao, who has served on the house of representatives in the Philippines and is currently running for the senate, made his controversial remarks about same-sex couples during an interview with local outlet TV5 earlier this week, and not to Hilton, as indicated in Panganiban's statement; Hilton has, however, been vocal about his disdain for the boxer's remarks.

Here are Pacquiao's comments that initially ignited controversy: “It’s common sense. Will you see any animals where male is to male and female is to female? The animals are better. They know how to distinguish male from female. If we approve [of] male on male, female on female, then man is worse than animals.”

Boxer Manny Pacquiao has found himself in the midst of controversy this week (Getty Images)

In defending the boxer, Panganiban went on to note that Pacquiao has taken past critiques that he has personally faced in stride, rather than reacting or lashing out.

"When the same members of the gay community made fun of him and his mother, Pacquiao took it all in stride," Panganiban wrote. "When people blast him for his intelligence, the champ did not get mad, when they called him idiot, he just went and won championships."

Panganiban wasn't done there, though, as he went on to deliver a lesson about what it truly means to be a "bigot," taking aim at those in the gay and lesbian community that have lashed out at Pacquiao.

"Now that the gay community gets in the receiving end, they cry like little babies condemning him to high heavens. Guess what the definition of 'Bigot' is?" he wrote. "Here, let me tell you, 'bigot — a person who has no tolerance for the belief and opinion of others and forces their own opinion on others.'"

Panganiban continued, "Now, who is the bigot? Who cannot take the opinion of others and forces their belief on him? Take a wild guess."

In the midst of controversy, Pacquiao did apologize earlier this week over his remarks, saying that he's "sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals." Nike later fired him over the initial remarks.

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