February 18, 2016

Common Sense is not common in Canada? | Manny Pacquiao on Same Sex Marriage

Same-sex marriage is legal in Canada through the Civil Marriage Act, which was passed in 2005.  It was anchored in two fundamental Charter principles:
  • the right of every Canadian to equality without discrimination, 
  • the right to religious freedom. 
Civil Marriage Act protected the rights of same-sex couples without removing rights from anyone else, and without subordinating one right to another.  It makes perfect sense.

But not for Manny Pacquiao.

Manny Pacquiao on Same Sex Marriage
Image Credit: http://www.philstar.com
"It’s only common sense. Would you see any species of animals who engage in male to male, female to female relations? Animals, then, are better than humans. They know how to distinguish males from females."

That's a rough translation of what Manny Pacquiao said about same-sex marriage in this interview. But after the criticisms received, he immediately made a public apology. But as they say, the damage was already done.

But is it really about common sense? Or is it just about Manny Pacquiao's bigotry?

With our more than 20 years of experience in Canadian visa application, we have processed a number of spousal sponsorship involving same-sex partners.  The process is more difficult for same-sex partners but as long as genuine relationship exists, it gets approved.  In order for a spousal sponsorship to be approved, the Visa Officer must be convinced that a genuine relationship exists. It goes through a careful evaluation before being approved.  Gay couples are just like other couples - they love and care for each other. They are after all also human.  Comparing them to animals is just plain bigotry.