News
Manny Pacquiao compares marriage to ‘sex between animals’
Boxer is running for the Philippines Senate

Philippine boxer Manny Pacquiao on Feb. 15, 2016, described marriage rights for same-sex couples as worse than “sex between animals.” (Photo by inboundpass; courtesy Wikimedia Commons)
Manny Pacquiao on Sunday compared marriage rights to same-sex couples to “sex between animals.”
“Same-sex marriage is more disgusting than (sex) between animals,” said the Philippine boxer during an interview with the website Bilang Pilipino.
Pacquiao, who is a member of the United Nationalist Alliance, is running for a seat in the Philippines Senate in national elections that are scheduled to take place on May 9. He has represented the province of Sarangani in the Philippines House of Representatives since 2010.
Jonas Bagas of TFL Sexuality, a Philippine advocacy group, blasted Pacquiao over his comments.
“Manny Pacquiao’s reprehensible attitude towards LGBTs and marriage equality shows an appalling lack of understanding of human dignity,” Bagas told the Washington Blade. “He’s not just a popular sports icon, he is also a legislator and a candidate for higher office in the Philippines.”
“His willingness to strip LGBTs of humanity shows he’s not fit for public service,” he added.
Dindi Tan, a member of the Quezon City Pride Council board of directors, posted a lengthy response to Pacquiao’s comments onto her Facebook page. The post contained the headline “Day of Infamy for Manny Pacquiao.”
“Today will go down in history as that day when you dropped the bomb against your fellow Filipinos — the Philippine LGBT community,” wrote Tan.
Boxer previously said he is ‘not against’ gay people
Pacquiao in 2012 criticized President Obama’s support of marriage rights for same-sex couples during an interview with the Examiner.
The article appeared to show him using a passage from the Book of Leviticus that calls for the death of men who engage in same-sex sexual relations. The Grove, a popular Los Angeles shopping mall, banned Pacquiao after the website published the interview.
Pacquiao reaffirmed his opposition to marriage rights for same-sex couples to the Associated Press, but he stressed he is “not against the gay people.”
The boxer noted to the Associated Press that his cousin and other relatives are gay. The Examiner later clarified that Pacquiao did not refer to Leviticus during its interview with him.
Bagas told the Blade in response to Pacquiao’s latest comments that the boxer should no longer receive endorsements from Nike and other brands.
The Blade has reached out to Pacquiao and Nike for comment.
Activist: Pacquiao is a ‘bigot’
The Philippines national elections will take place roughly six months after a court found a U.S. Marine guilty of killing Jennifer Laude, a transgender woman, in an Olongapo City motel room in 2014.
Laude’s death sparked widespread outrage among Philippine advocates who continue to urge the country’s lawmakers to approve an LGBT-inclusive anti-discrimination measure that has languished for more than a decade. The case also highlighted opposition to the U.S. military presence in the Philippines.
“Its time for the ‘pink vote’ to judge your rightful place in history,” wrote Tan on her Facebook page. “Let us unite to campaign against this bigot. Mr. Manny Pacquiao you may win the Senate but we will make sure that you will also go down in history as one of the most-celebrated cowards of our time.”
Pacquiao on Tuesday apologized for his comments in a video he posted to his Twitter page.
I'm sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for those I've hurt. God Bless! pic.twitter.com/bqjRcWqp8R
— Manny Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) February 16, 2016
New York
Men convicted of murdering two men in NYC gay bar drugging scheme sentenced
One of the victims, John Umberger, was D.C. political consultant

A New York judge on Wednesday sentenced three men convicted of killing a D.C. political consultant and another man who they targeted at gay bars in Manhattan.
NBC New York notes a jury in February convicted Jayqwan Hamilton, Jacob Barroso, and Robert DeMaio of murder, robbery, and conspiracy in relation to druggings and robberies that targeted gay bars in Manhattan from March 2021 to June 2022.
John Umberger, a 33-year-old political consultant from D.C., and Julio Ramirez, a 25-year-old social worker, died. Prosecutors said Hamilton, Barroso, and DeMaio targeted three other men at gay bars.
The jury convicted Hamilton and DeMaio of murdering Umberger. State Supreme Court Judge Felicia Mennin sentenced Hamilton and DeMaio to 40 years to life in prison.
Barroso, who was convicted of killing Ramirez, received a 20 years to life sentence.
a&e features
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.

The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.

The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.





Congress
Gerry Connolly dies at 75 after battle with esophageal cancer
Va. congressman fought for LGBTQ rights

Democratic U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia died on Wednesday, according to a statement from his family.
The 75-year-old lawmaker, who served in Congress since 2009, announced last month that he will not seek reelection and would step down from his role as the top Democrat on the powerful U.S. House Oversight Committee because his esophageal cancer had returned.
“We were fortunate to share Gerry with Northern Virginia for nearly 40 years because that was his joy, his purpose, and his passion,” his family said in their statement. “His absence will leave a hole in our hearts, but we are proud that his life’s work will endure for future generations.”
“He looked out for the disadvantaged and voiceless. He always stood up for what is right and just,” they said.
Connolly was memorialized in statements from colleagues and friends including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.), Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson (La.), former President Joe Biden, and U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.).
Several highlighted Connolly’s fierce advocacy on behalf of federal workers, who are well represented in his northern Virginia congressional district.
The congressman also supported LGBTQ rights throughout his life and career.
When running for the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 1994, he fought the removal of Washington Blade newspapers from libraries. When running in 2008 for the U.S. house seat vacated by Tom Davis, a Republican, Connolly campaigned against the amendment to Virginia’s constitution banning same-sex marriage and civil unions in the state.
In Congress, he supported the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on marriage equality, the Biden-Harris administration’s rescission of the anti-trans military ban, and the designation within the State Department of a special LGBTQ rights envoy. The congressman also was an original cosponsor of the Equality Act and co-sponsored legislation to repeal parts of the Defense of Marriage Act.