Out gay boxer Orlando “Fenomeno” Cruz has a message for fellow boxer Manny Pacquiao: focus more on loving unconditionally and less on judging others.
In a video posted online, Cruz addresses the comments Pacquiao made saying gay people are worse than animals. Cruz says,
Hi, Manny: For you to say that homosexuality is like animal sex is irresponsible. I am a homosexual. Are you sure you hate me for my lifestyle? Jesus said about the adulteress woman: ‘He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to cast a stone at her.' Hear this first: God asked you to love one another unconditionally. I invite you to meet with me to get to know us as human beings first and I guarantee you will think differently. Maybe afterwards we can do a sparring session. Take care and I will be praying for you and your family. Thank you.
Cruz became the first professional boxer to come out as gay when he revealed his sexual orientation in 2012.
RELATED: First Gay Boxer Orlando Cruz on Coming Out: ‘I'm Very, Very Happy. I am Free' – VIDEO
Cruz's response is particularly prescient given that Pacquiao doubled down on his anti-gay rhetoric after being dumped by Nike. On Wednesday he posted an Instagram post captioned with a passage from the book of Leviticus that reads all men who have sex with men should be put to death.
Watch Cruz's video, below.
[h/t Blabbeando]