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Nepal Death Toll Surges; Three Americans Dead; Debating Same- Sex Marriage; U.S. Military Helping in Nepal; Bruce Jenner Raises Transgender Visibility. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired April 27, 2015 - 09:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Tragically, there was a church here where there was a prayer service in session on Saturday when the earth began to shake.

[09:30:03] So most of at least 28 people killed were churchgoers in prayer when they were trapped inside. Now, some of the personal effects of these people being brought over and piled up in a sad pile here. There's a guitar behind these Nepalese police officers, a Bible on top of this pile.

Now, some of the personal effects of these people being brought over and piled up in a sad pile here. There's a guitar behind these Nepalese police officers. A Bible on top of this -- this pile. Now, there are examples of international assistance coming. The gentleman here in orange are part of natural disaster teams that have come in from India.

As for the people, well, nobody is going into their homes right now. Though most of the buildings in this neighborhood are still standing, many of them have dangerous looking cracks. And people, quite literally, saying they're too traumatized after the earthquake, too frightened by the aftershocks to dare to go inside. So they are sleeping and resting out into the streets. Shops, schools, closed here. Back to you.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Ivan Watson reporting.

CNN's Nick Valencia joins me now.

Three Americans died as a result of this earthquake. Tell us about them, Nick.

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Carol, that's right. We know that at least 17 people were killed on Mt. Everest. Among them, at least three Americans. And we wanted to try to bring meaning to those numbers and bringing you some very personal stories of those who were impacted by this devastating earthquake.

Dan Fredinburg was a Google executive, one of those killed on the mountain. He was an avid adventurer and mountain climber and was on that tour when the avalanche triggered by the earthquake encapsulated him and his crew. Earlier yesterday we spoke with one of those closest to Dan, his girlfriend.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ASHLEY ARENSON, DAN FREDINBURG'S GIRLFRIEND: I mean, he was just magical. And just by making the choices that he made, I think it was always unintentional, but he had this way of making the people around him just feel special without even trying and make people feel like they could accomplish anything that they wanted. And that, you know, they hadn't accomplished enough. That there was more that they could do and that there was more that they could be because every single person around him was able to feel special and amazing. And he's brought out the best version in me, and I'd say he's brought out the best version in (INAUDIBLE) and everyone around him is just -- he constantly makes you want to be the best version of yourself. And that's without trying. That's just by the actions that he would take.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VALENCIA: Another one of those victims that was on that mountaintop when the avalanche struck was Eve Girawong. She's originally from New Jersey. A base camp doctor. She was there on the mountaintop. You're looking at that young woman there right now. She was in the process of getting her second degree -- Master's degree in mountain medicine before she died. Over the weekend, her employer took to FaceBook to deliver the grim news. "It is with deep sorrow and profound grief that we can confirm the loss of her Everest base camp Dr. Marisa Eve Girawong. Eve perished in the aftermath of the avalanche that struck the base camp area following the devastating Nepal earthquake."

And many of you may be watching this at home and wondering how you can help. There are still many people unaccounted for, still very many victims that need your assistance. And we're encouraging everyone to go to cnn.com/impact where you can hopefully make a difference.

Carol.

COSTELLO: All right, Nick Valencia, thanks so much.

VALENCIA: You bet.

COSTELLO: Still to come in the NEWSROOM, is there room for Christians in today's Democratic Party? Ted Cruz doesn't think so. Strong words, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:37:27] COSTELLO: The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments surrounding gay marriage tomorrow. Take a look at the lines outside of the court in D.C. Dozens of people have been camping out for days hoping to snag a seat inside the court. In the meantime, opponents of gay marriage are out in force, like most of the Republicans running for president. Senator Ted Cruz speaking before the Iowa Faith and Freedom Summit called Democrats who support gay marriage "fascists."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. TED CRUZ (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Today's Democratic Party it seems has decided there are no room for Christians in the Democratic Party. The modern Democratic Party has gotten so extreme, so intolerant, there is a liberal fascism that is dedicated to going after and targeting believing Christians who follow the biblical teachings on marriage.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: J.C. Watts joins me now from Washington. He's a former Republican Oklahoma congressman.

Welcome, sir. Thank you for being with me.

J.C. WATTS, FORMER OKLAHOMA CONGRESSMAN: Thank you, Carol, for having me.

COSTELLO: Thanks for being here.

So, J.C., Marco Rubio also spoke out against gay marriage, but said he would attend a gay wedding. Bobby Jindal is ready to sign legislation in Louisiana allowing business owners to deny service to gay weddings. But he, too, would attend a gay wedding for someone, quote, "he loved and cared for." Even Senator Ted Cruz attended a dinner hosted by two men who own hotels, two gay men, who support gay marriage. Aren't these behaviors contradictory?

WATTS: Well, Carol, I think any time a person is operating in love and friendship, any time you're leading with love, I don't think that's ever bad. I don't think that's ever wrong. I think that there's this saying in the country today that we all seem to be, you know, so many of us seem to be angry and hostile and we have no joy, and that's not the Christian way. And I think, you know, what these men have said, you know, you have people in the gay community who are their friends, and they're trying to be supportive of their friends. I think we can be supportive and disagree. I mean, I love my children, but I still discipline my children. So I disagree with my children on things. So I still love them, however. So, I think because we disagree, it doesn't mean that we can't be friends or that we can't love.

COSTELLO: So, what Senator Ted Cruz said about Democrats being fascists, is that love?

[09:39:59] WATTS: Well, Carol, I think -- I think there is a sense in the faith community. You know, pro-life Catholics, and the protestant community, in many communities of faith, I think there is a sense that, you know, there's hostility toward our Christians. Bible believing Christians, as Ted Cruz said. And I think when you -- you know, I can tell you that it -- it surely has become a little more hostile toward Bible believing Christians over the last 10 years. Over the last five years. So I think that's -- that's a fair assessment. I think it's an honest assessment. I don't think you have to say those type of things trying to be difficult or trying to be hostile. I think that is a true sense of how the faith community feels today.

COSTELLO: Even the majority of conservatives on the Republican side think that gay people should be able to marry legally. So, some of the Republican candidates, because of that, because they want to attract these young voters, they want this issue of same-sex marriage to fade, but I think that's going to be tough because the Family Research Council, it's demanding candidates sign a pledge of support for a federal marriage amendment to the Constitution. Do you think that all of the Republican candidates should sign such a thing?

WATTS: Well, you know, the voters, Carol, are going to decide. And, you know, Rand Paul believes -- you know, I'm a supporter of Rand Paul, and he has stated that he believes that marriage should be a state issue. However, you've got federal judges that's overturning the marriage issue, and as you have stated here, we're going to hear it -- oral arguments tomorrow at the Supreme Court. So I think there -- there are many people who believe that marriage should be defined as one man and one woman, and they believe there's no better alternative than that.

So, you know, it's -- it's an issue that is upon us, and the Supreme Court, they're going to hear oral arguments tomorrow about it. And -- but, if -- regardless of whatever way they ruled, there's still going to be a broad swath of people that believes, and will continue to fight, for marriage, for a biblical definition of marriage, which is one man and one woman.

COSTELLO: I don't know how broad it is any longer and every poll shows that most Americans are in favor of same-sex marriage. But -- but let me ask you this question. What --

WATTS: But -- but -- but those who -- but, Carol, those who disagree with that, you know, I mean that's -- that's the American way. We -- freedom of religion says in terms of marriage, those who believe that it should be one man and one woman, that -- that is a world view. Now, there's a world view that disagrees with that, but that's the reality of what we're dealing with.

COSTELLO: Well, there are also anti-discrimination laws on the book as well. But let me ask you this.

WATTS: Yes, and that -- and that -- and that's a --

COSTELLO: What -- what -- what do --

WATTS: And that's -- that's another issue for another time. I'll have to come back and we'll talk about that.

COSTELLO: Not tomorrow because the U.S. Supreme Court's going to be talking about that. What if a Republican candidate came out for gay marriage? Would that kill his or her candidacy, you think?

WATTS: Well, Carol, that's up to the voters. You know, we'll have some -- you have people in the Republican Party today, candidates running for offices all over the country in the Republican Party, that they -- they believe -- or they support same-sex marriage. You know, that's going to be up to -- up to the voters. You know when I -- when I chose to run for office, I made it known where I stood on social and economic issues and I got elected and I got re-elected. And so, you know, people -- the voters will make that determination. But, nevertheless, there are differing world views on how marriage should be defined. COSTELLO: All right, J.C. Watts, thank you so much for being with me.

I appreciate it.

WATTS: Thank you for having me.

COSTELLO: Any time.

I'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:45:36] COSTELLO: More than 3900 people have been killed, a number that could rise as search and rescue crews comb through all of the destruction you are about to see. These pictures shot by a drone from Reuters giving us just a sense of how bad the damage is in Nepal. Now, U.S. military special forces teams are helping rescue efforts.

CNN's Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr has that part of the story. Good morning, Barbara.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol. All of this, of course, at the request of the government of Nepal asking the U.S. for some additional assistance. We are told by the Pentagon two special forces aid teams that had already been in Nepal for high altitude training will now begin helping search some of the more popular trekking routes in Nepal, including the Everest base camp route, trying to look for any trekkers that may be stranded, injured, or perhaps even killed in the aftermath of all of these earthquakes and aftershocks.

So they will help with the Nepal army to begin searching these popular trekking routes at these very high altitudes. It's about two dozen special forces that had actually already been there for some high altitude training. They also have specialized medical training, so they will also help with some medical assistance, setting up some tents for people -- the people of Nepal who may be homeless, have nowhere to go back to, or too afraid to go back in to their homes. All of this part of the effort to help this international effort that is unfolding.

It's really interesting, the U.S. had been assisting Nepal with earthquake preparedness for some time, and, in fact, just last week, there'd been a workshop with the government of Nepal in that country to share some equipment, some training, to help with upgrading the international airport there. All of that, the Pentagon says, is paying off now, as you see dozens of countries jumping in to help. Nepal may be a very poor country, but it is a very proud country. They want to do as much as they can on their own. The U.S. helping when the government of Nepal says it has a request for that help. Carol?

COSTELLO: All right, Barbara Starr reporting live from the Pentagon this morning. Thank you.

Checking some other top stories at 49 minutes past the hour. Loretta Lynch set to make history as the nation's first African-American woman to serve as Attorney General. She'll be sworn in later this morning by Vice President Joe Biden. Lynch was confirmed last week by the full Senate more than five months after President Obama nominated her.

[09:50:05] Nearly three years after the rampage, the death penalty trial for the man police say is behind the Aurora movie theater massacre begins. James Holmes is accused of killing 12 people back in July of 2012 during a midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises". 70 others were injured in the shooting. Holmes pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. He faces the death penalty.

Rescue and recovery teams searching for five people after their boats overturned during weekend storms. The severe weather killing two people when the boat capsized in a regatta near Mobile Bay, Alabama. Teams were able to rescue about 40 people from the water.

Two of the women held captive for more than ten years by a sadistic predator are speaking out for the first time about their ordeal. Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, and Michelle Knight escaped in 2013 from the Cleveland home of Ariel Castro. Barry and DeJesus sat down with ABC's Robin Roberts, describing their terrifying capture and their harrowing escape.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBIN ROBERTS, ABC NEWS: What happened when you went into the house?

AMANDA BERRY, HELD CAPTIVE FOR 1- YEARS: He started showing me around the house and I never got back out.

GINA DEJESUS, HELD CAPTIVE FOR 10 YEARS: I tried to run but he sat on my back. Then I'd just start kicking him. I kicked him and bruised him bad.

BERRY: My heart immediately started pounding. Because I'm like should I chance it? If I'm going to do it, I need to do it now.

ROBERTS: Share your emotions when you first realized it's over. I made it.

BERRY: This is it. I think we're free now.

DEJESUS: Now we want the world to know we survived. We love life. We were stronger than Ariel Castro.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Ariel Castro was sentenced to life in prison but he killed himself later.

Still to come in the NEWSROOM, Bruce Jenner's interview didn't rock the ratings, looks like he got the whole nation thinking. We'll talk about that next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:55:12] COSTELLO: I want to take you back to Baltimore for just a bit where, later this morning, the funeral for Freddie Gray will take place. Gray, who died after suffering a severe spinal cord injury while in police custody, will be remembered at a service scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Among those expected to speak, Democratic Congressman Elijah Cummings, whose district include parts of Baltimore, and the Reverend Jesse Jackson.

17 million people tuned into Bruce Jenner's much anticipated interview with Diane Sawyer.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRUCE JENNER, OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST: For all intents and purposes, I am a woman. People look at me differently. This see you as this macho male. But my heart and my soul and everything that I do in life, it is part of me. That female side is part of me. That's who I am.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Jenner is adding yet another voice to transgenderism, amid signs America might be more accepting. Over the weekend, "Orange Is The New Black" star Laverne Cox attended the White House Correspondents' Dinner, recently telling Time magazine, quote, "2014 was a watershed moment for transgender visibility, but the record unemployment rates, homicide rates, and discrimination that we experience, that has not changed."

Many this morning, though, applaud ABC, saying Jenner's special humanized the transgender community, calling it educational and insightful. So is society's perception shifting? Well, let's talk about that.

Mara Keisling is the executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality. Welcome.

MARA KEISLING, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL CENTER FOR TRANSGENDER EQUALITY: Thanks, Carol.

COSTELLO: Marth, 17 million people watched that interview with Bruce Jenner. Why do you suppose so many watched?

KEISLING: Well, I think people were just interested in this person that they knew either as an Olympian or as a reality TV person, and they wanted to know what was up. And it was I think it was hard for a lot of people to believe and now, as you said, Bruce Jenner's added another voice of transgender people to the conversation. And that's really important. People probably learned quite a bit on Friday night.

COSTELLO: I think they did learn quite a bit because I thought it was an excellent special. But I think that some of it left people more confused than ever. What would you say to those people?

KEISLING: Well, every transgender person's story is different and Bruce Jenner's is very individual. It's somebody who has been in the public eye. It's somebody who has been in a very macho profession and has a macho image from years ago. And if people aren't totally up to speed yet on the lingo or on the correct practices, that's OK. They learned a little bit more. They could certainly see how honest Jenner was being and how full of courage and integrity. And I think that's a big plus.

COSTELLO: Is Laverne Cox right when she says 2014 was a watershed moment for transgender visibility?

KEISLING: Oh, absolutely. And I think, by the way, that Laverne Cox is almost always right. She's just phenomenal.

But, yes, she's absolutely correct. We have had just a remarkable run of really good stories being told. Laverne has been such a big part of that, being very public, but also raising up other people's voices.

And that's what I hope this story does. We're seeing all over America TV affiliates seeking out local transgender people to give their story and we see local newspapers doing it. So while Jenner's story is so important and so important to Jenner, it's really just one of our stories. And Bruce Jenner has given us the gift of being able to leverage that to tell our own stories.

COSTELLO: So when do you -- when might things really change? When might much of America accept people as they are?

KEISLING: Well, it's happening. But the truth is every day, all over America, even as things are getting better, there are kids who are being thrown out of homes by their parents. There are transgender people who are being arrested by the police just for being transgender. There's a lot of violence.

We -- in Baltimore, you were talking about the Freddie Gray story. In Baltimore, every year, transgender people are murdered. And it's just -- it isn't the kind of people that get to be on the news all the time, who get to have a two-hour interview with Diane Sawyer. These are real problems and anything we can do to leverage Jenner's coming out to get those stories across is so important.

[10:00:03] But it is getting better. Just not for everybody and certainly not fast enough. These are people.

COSTELLO: Mara Keisling, thanks so much for being with me this morning. I appreciate it.

The next hour of CNN NEWSROOM starts now.

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