As the United States Supreme Court weighs whether or not to effectively re-define marriage at the national level, Univision’s Pablo Gato was the only major network correspondent to cover the recent National March for Marriage in which thousands of people from across the country gathered in Washington to voice their support for marriage as a uniquely male-female institution.
Ironically, the only elected official to speak at the event was a Democratic state senator from New York, Rev. Rubén Díaz, who was accompanied by a surprisingly large, spirited contingent of evangelical and Catholic Latinos who uphold the sanctity of traditional marriage as the core unit of human civilization.
PABLO GATO, UNIVISION CORRESPONDENT: These demonstrators have brought several thousand people here to the Capitol, but they say that in reality they represent many more. Concretely, 50 million across the entire country. Senator and Pastor Rubén Díaz came from New York with several hundred people, and insists that they represent millions in this country.
NEW YORK STATE SENATOR RUBEN DIAZ: Here we are, look at this army. Look at this world of people saying, ‘Hey, we are also citizens. We are also Americans. We are also part of this Nation. Listen to us, too.’
GATO: They say they know many will call them radicals, because they are not even in favor civil unions for same sex couples, but they insist that their point of view is as valid as any other.
In addition to Díaz, other high-profile attendees and speakers at the March included Pope Francis’ representative to the United States, Archbishop Carlo María Vigano; U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops President Joseph Kurtz; CitizenLink President Tom Minnery; the Family Research Council’s Cathy Ruse and Coalition of African American Pastors President Bill Owens.
Univision’s coverage of the 2015 National March for Marriage was a rare, welcome exception to the network’s typical coverage of the marriage issue over the past year, which has most often been characterized by a celebratory tone as same sex marriage was legalized in various states of the Union.
Relevant portions of the referenced Noticiero Univisión segment are below:
English Translation:
PABLO GATO, UNIVISION CORRESPONDENT: The message of these various thousands of people who gathered in front of the Capitol was clear.
RAMON HERNANDEZ, DEMONSTRATOR: and the Word of God says God created a man and a woman. And that union that procreates would be a man and a woman. And the opposite of that is against Christ.
JOSIE BARNECO, DEMONSTRATOR: the message we bring here is to protect the family, because it is the person most important in the home: the mother and father. Not the father and father.
…
REV. ANTONIO AMERINO: but the Supreme Court should know that this country is a correct country. This country is an example to the world and it should be a man and a woman.
GATO: the Supreme Court could decide in June what is and what is not constitutional on the subject of marriage, and if gay marriage should be recognized in all the states. The people who defend gay marriage say they are human beings like anyone else and that this is discrimination. how do you respond?
IRMA ELMONTE, DEMONSTRATOR: Well, yes they are human beings and they need help and what I want to tell them is they can find that help through Jesus Christ.
GATO: Colombian priest José Victoria said he is here to defend the family, and does not judge anyone.
REV. JOSE VICTORIA: No, no, no. We are not against any community. We are supporting family values.
…
GATO: These demonstrators have brought several thousand people here to the Capitol, but they say that in reality they represent many more. Concretely, 50 million across the entire country. Senator and Pastor Rubén Díaz came from New York with several hundred people, and insists that they represent millions in this country.
NEW YORK STATE SENATOR RUBEN DIAZ: Here we are, look at this army. Look at this world of people saying, ‘Hey, we are also citizens. We are also Americans. We are also part of this Nation. Listen to us, too.’
GATO: They say they know many will call them radicals, because they are not even in favor civil unions for same sex couples, but they insist that there point of view is as valid as any other.
Español Original:
GATO: El mensaje de las varias miles de personas que se congregaron frente al Capitolio fue claro:
RAMON HERNANDEZ, MANIFESTANTE: y la palabra de Dios, que dice que Dios creó a un hombre y a una mujer. Y que la unión para que procreáis sea de un hombre y una mujer. Y lo opuesto a eso es anti-Cristo.
JOSE BARNECO, MANIFESTANTE: el mensaje que traemos aquí para proteger la familia porque es la persona más poderosa en el hogar: la madre y el padre. No padre y padre.
...
REV. ANTONIO AMERINO: Pero la Corte Suprema debe saber que este país es un país correcto. Este país es el ejemplo del mundo y que debe ser un hombre y una mujer.
GATO: La Corte Suprema podría decidir en junio que es y que no es constitucional en el tema del matrimonio y si los matrimonios gays deben ser reconocidos en todos los estados. Las personas que defienden el matrimonio gay dicen que son seres humanos como cualquier otro y que esto es discriminación. ¿Qué responde?
IRMA ELMONTE, MANIFESTANTE: Bueno sí ellos son seres humanos que necesitan ayuda y que yo quiero decirles a ellos, que ellos pueden encontrar esa ayuda a través de Jesucristo.
GATO: el sacerdote colombiano José Victoria dice que está aquí para defender a la familia y que no juzga a nadie.
REV. JOSE VICTORIA: no no no…nosotros no estamos en contra de ninguna comunidad. Estamos apoyando los valores de la familia.
...
GATO: Estos manifestantes han logrado traer a varias miles personas aquí hasta el Capitolio, pero dicen que en realidad representan a muchas personas más. Concretamente a cincuenta millones alrededor de todo el país. El senador y pastor Rubén Díaz vino desde Nueva York con varios centenares de personas e insiste en que ellos representan a millones en este país.
REV. RUBEN DIAZ, SENADOR ESTATAL DE NUEVA YORK: Aquí estamos, mira un ejército, mira que mundo de gente diciendo: ey! Nosotros también somos ciudadanos, nosotros también somos americanos, nosotros también somos parte de esta nación, escúchennos también a nosotros.
GATO: Ellos dicen que saben que muchos los llamarán radicales porque tan siquiera están a favor de las uniones civiles entre personas del mismo sexo, pero insisten en que su punto de vista es tan válido como cualquier otro.
