"Pro-family" march in Puerto Rico
It exceeded our expectations
An impressive demonstration of thousands of faithfuls from various denominations gathered yesterday near the Capitol in a march with intentions of defend the family, marriage and children, while very few politicians showed up to support the activity.
From early morning, dozens of school buses, private cars and guagüitas (little buses) of all colors, arrived at the island of Puerta de Tierra loaded with passengers. At 9:30 in the morning near the north side of the Capitol building were filled with demonstrators, who were dressed in light clothing and equipped with folding chairs, umbrellas and coolers.
“It exceeded our expectations, we are overwhelmed, we could be talking about 200,000 people of different religious denominations. There are Catholics, Evangelicals, Adventists and even people who do not believe in the luz eléctrica (it’s a Puerto Rican saying about not believing in anything). But they (talking about non-believers) have a mom and a dad and believe in the family” said Dr. Cesar Vazquéz Muñíz, spokesman for Puerto Rico por la Familia (Puerto Rico for the Family), the organization that organized the activity, which became known as “Puerto Rico rises.”
The mass activity was the militant religious sector response to various legislative initiatives considered as an attack against the family, marriage and children.
These legislative initiatives are sponsored by groups that defend the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT). These measures include one by Senator Ramón Luis Nieves, who proposed to ban employment discrimination for persons of that community and which are refused entry, by these considerations “in public places, in business, in Transportation and selling or renting a home.”
Another project, which was filed by Rep. Luis Vega Ramos, aims to include domestic partners within the framework of Act 54.
“We stand for justice and that everyone is protected same way. It is said that we are against amendments to Act 54. What we want that all domestic relations should be protected, all relations of coexistence where emotional intimacy and that protects us all,” said Vázquez Muñíz.
The doctor warned, however, that was against granting rights or protections to relationships between people of the same sex. “I have no problem when people who are siblings or family. The problem is when there are individuals who claim rights arising from marriage to their relationship,” said Vázquez Muñíz.
Bishop Daniel Fernández, who was the most senior figure in the Catholic Church who participated in the activity, said his presence is due to his fears of other countries’ projects that are very similar to those that have been filed in the Legislature.
“The aim with these projects is to redefine marriage and the family, and we say it because we have seen it in other countries. Therefore, it is necessary to raise the alarm. Natural law is that marriage is composed of a man and a woman, "said Bishop Fernández.
Opposition activity
Just after 10:00 am and near Luis Muñoz Rivera Park, about a hundred people, representing the LGBT community, began a march that culminated with an activity on the south side of the Capitol. The march was organized by the Movimiento Inclusivo de Apoyo a la Comunidad, composed of several LGBT community leaders, and led by the lawyer Ada Conde, who is noted for her defense of the rights of this community. “Here are your neighbors, your friends, your co-workers, professionals, those who pay taxes!” said Conde microphone in hand.
Around 11:00am, some politicians began to show up in the south side of the Capitol. Among them was the vice president of the House of Representatives, Roberto Rivera Ruiz de Porras, who was the most popular figure.
Rivera Ruiz de Porras said that although he was the person in charge of working with the coordinators of the activity in the House, he and other legislators were invited to participate in it. The legislator said that the religious activity “was in favor of family unity and the unity of the people”, and refused to comment for or against the measures that caused the activity "Puerto Rico rises."
Meanwhile, Senator Enrique "Kikito" Meléndez (New Progressive Party) said he was in favor of protecting the rights of LGBT groups, but said “that we needed a different act similar to Act 54. If it doesn’t affect the traditional family, I have no problem.”
In turn, Senator Itzamar Peña manifested openly against the measures because, she said, “For me, marriage is between a man and a woman. Marriage between people of the same sex is chaos.”
Similarly is said Rep. Jose Aponte, described himself as “a champion of family and marriage.”
“I do not favor those projects that go against my principles. I do not recognize domestic partnerships. Right now a person can leave his estate to people who are not blood family. For that we do not need to pass a bill. For domestic violence between partners we have the Penal Code. Including domestic (same-sex) partners in Act 54 is to recognize those couples. I ask my fellow legislators to reconsider,” said Aponte.
Moreover, the popular senator Luis Daniel Rivera, Carolina, said he was “against any kind of discrimination sponsor, but he does not favor any measures to protect agendas of a particular group."
Rivera said he was prepared to assess the measures, but refused to reveal whether he would favor or vote against.
The popular senator Angel Rodríguez of Guayama, in turn, said that their participation in the activity responded “that I am in favor of the family and will not vote in favor of such projects.”
The representative Victor Vassallo, who was also prowling the stage, spoke in favor of the family and repeatedly said he was not homophobic. Vassallo also spoke in favor of what he called family values and the Puerto Rican culture.
But he said based projects for the LGBT community wanted to increase the rights of a community of people who had learned these behaviors. “They are learned behaviors and if we recognize we are discriminating against other learned behaviors”.
Vassallo learned behaviors included bestiality (having sex with animals) and pedophilia (the use of children as sexual objects).
During their participation, Pastor Wanda Rolón said that “governments come and go, but the Church always remains. I think he is sending a clear and strong message to them (legislators) to reassess their positions.”
Before the words of the pastor, the crowd responded delirious and satisfied.
OP: I translated this, so the actual source in Spanish. Sorry for that. I'm saddened that my father participated in this event, when in my own family I have members of the LGBTQ community. :(
Source
An impressive demonstration of thousands of faithfuls from various denominations gathered yesterday near the Capitol in a march with intentions of defend the family, marriage and children, while very few politicians showed up to support the activity.
From early morning, dozens of school buses, private cars and guagüitas (little buses) of all colors, arrived at the island of Puerta de Tierra loaded with passengers. At 9:30 in the morning near the north side of the Capitol building were filled with demonstrators, who were dressed in light clothing and equipped with folding chairs, umbrellas and coolers.
“It exceeded our expectations, we are overwhelmed, we could be talking about 200,000 people of different religious denominations. There are Catholics, Evangelicals, Adventists and even people who do not believe in the luz eléctrica (it’s a Puerto Rican saying about not believing in anything). But they (talking about non-believers) have a mom and a dad and believe in the family” said Dr. Cesar Vazquéz Muñíz, spokesman for Puerto Rico por la Familia (Puerto Rico for the Family), the organization that organized the activity, which became known as “Puerto Rico rises.”
The mass activity was the militant religious sector response to various legislative initiatives considered as an attack against the family, marriage and children.
These legislative initiatives are sponsored by groups that defend the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT). These measures include one by Senator Ramón Luis Nieves, who proposed to ban employment discrimination for persons of that community and which are refused entry, by these considerations “in public places, in business, in Transportation and selling or renting a home.”
Another project, which was filed by Rep. Luis Vega Ramos, aims to include domestic partners within the framework of Act 54.
“We stand for justice and that everyone is protected same way. It is said that we are against amendments to Act 54. What we want that all domestic relations should be protected, all relations of coexistence where emotional intimacy and that protects us all,” said Vázquez Muñíz.
The doctor warned, however, that was against granting rights or protections to relationships between people of the same sex. “I have no problem when people who are siblings or family. The problem is when there are individuals who claim rights arising from marriage to their relationship,” said Vázquez Muñíz.
Bishop Daniel Fernández, who was the most senior figure in the Catholic Church who participated in the activity, said his presence is due to his fears of other countries’ projects that are very similar to those that have been filed in the Legislature.
“The aim with these projects is to redefine marriage and the family, and we say it because we have seen it in other countries. Therefore, it is necessary to raise the alarm. Natural law is that marriage is composed of a man and a woman, "said Bishop Fernández.
Opposition activity
Just after 10:00 am and near Luis Muñoz Rivera Park, about a hundred people, representing the LGBT community, began a march that culminated with an activity on the south side of the Capitol. The march was organized by the Movimiento Inclusivo de Apoyo a la Comunidad, composed of several LGBT community leaders, and led by the lawyer Ada Conde, who is noted for her defense of the rights of this community. “Here are your neighbors, your friends, your co-workers, professionals, those who pay taxes!” said Conde microphone in hand.
Around 11:00am, some politicians began to show up in the south side of the Capitol. Among them was the vice president of the House of Representatives, Roberto Rivera Ruiz de Porras, who was the most popular figure.
Rivera Ruiz de Porras said that although he was the person in charge of working with the coordinators of the activity in the House, he and other legislators were invited to participate in it. The legislator said that the religious activity “was in favor of family unity and the unity of the people”, and refused to comment for or against the measures that caused the activity "Puerto Rico rises."
Meanwhile, Senator Enrique "Kikito" Meléndez (New Progressive Party) said he was in favor of protecting the rights of LGBT groups, but said “that we needed a different act similar to Act 54. If it doesn’t affect the traditional family, I have no problem.”
In turn, Senator Itzamar Peña manifested openly against the measures because, she said, “For me, marriage is between a man and a woman. Marriage between people of the same sex is chaos.”
Similarly is said Rep. Jose Aponte, described himself as “a champion of family and marriage.”
“I do not favor those projects that go against my principles. I do not recognize domestic partnerships. Right now a person can leave his estate to people who are not blood family. For that we do not need to pass a bill. For domestic violence between partners we have the Penal Code. Including domestic (same-sex) partners in Act 54 is to recognize those couples. I ask my fellow legislators to reconsider,” said Aponte.
Moreover, the popular senator Luis Daniel Rivera, Carolina, said he was “against any kind of discrimination sponsor, but he does not favor any measures to protect agendas of a particular group."
Rivera said he was prepared to assess the measures, but refused to reveal whether he would favor or vote against.
The popular senator Angel Rodríguez of Guayama, in turn, said that their participation in the activity responded “that I am in favor of the family and will not vote in favor of such projects.”
The representative Victor Vassallo, who was also prowling the stage, spoke in favor of the family and repeatedly said he was not homophobic. Vassallo also spoke in favor of what he called family values and the Puerto Rican culture.
But he said based projects for the LGBT community wanted to increase the rights of a community of people who had learned these behaviors. “They are learned behaviors and if we recognize we are discriminating against other learned behaviors”.
Vassallo learned behaviors included bestiality (having sex with animals) and pedophilia (the use of children as sexual objects).
During their participation, Pastor Wanda Rolón said that “governments come and go, but the Church always remains. I think he is sending a clear and strong message to them (legislators) to reassess their positions.”
Before the words of the pastor, the crowd responded delirious and satisfied.
OP: I translated this, so the actual source in Spanish. Sorry for that. I'm saddened that my father participated in this event, when in my own family I have members of the LGBTQ community. :(
Source