Mesaj postat de asociatia ACCEPT:
"Un singur lucru mai e de facut - trebuie sa trimitem un mesaj clar către ProTV și Simon Cowell că discursul homofob nu pot fi tolerat în spațiul public. Ei au datoria de a se delimita de prezentatori TV care se folosesc de statutul de persoană publică și formator de opinie pentru a instiga la ură și discriminare.
Vă rugăm să le trimiteți astăzi acest email:
TO: admin@simoncowellonline.com
CC: pr@protv.ro; ruxandra.voda@telekom.ro; roxana.voloseniuc@ringier.ro
SYCO Entertainment Team,
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to you in order to inform you about the homophobic statements of Mihaela Rădulescu, a jury member of „Romania's got talent” TV show. On April 5th, Rădulescu started a hate campaign against the LGBTI community by posting an article on her personal blog (http://www.donotlink.com/framed?673852). The post describes gay men in particular and the LGBTI community in general as abnormal and as a threat to family values, the well being of children, of Romanian traditions. Rădulescu requests that all public events of the LGBTI community be quenched, while personal displays of affection should only be allowed in private spaces. She also insinuates that being gay is equivalent to being a terrorist. Worst of all, she presents her homophobic rant as one of the last bastions of free speech, uncensored by political correctness.
The following day, Rădulescu’s post received widespread attention in various online publications and on social media, particularly Facebook. The hate campaign continued on Rădulescu’s personal Facebook page, filled with derogatory comments addressed to the LGBTI community.
It is important to note that Rădulescu was not only expressing homophobic statements, but also hate speech against other vulnerable groups, such as people with mental health issues or Roma people. These types of public statements show a limited understanding of the situation of vulnerable groups in Eastern Europe and a lack of sensitivity and understanding regarding sexual orientation or gender expression.
Romania is one of the most homophobic countries in Europe: 8 of 10 Romanians would not vote for LGBT people in public office, while 6 out of 10 would dislike having as members of their families or as co-workers members of the LGBT community. Similar discriminatory attitudes are shared by the majority and directed towards the Roma, people living with HIV or those living with a disability. Public figures, such as Mihaela Rădulescu, have a responsibility to not foster and promote discriminatory attitudes, especially because this behavior and speech is so widespread in the Romanian public space. Influential TV hosts have enough influence to set the norm and fight prejudice, instead of encouraging it.
Moreover, please note Rădulescu’s propensity to have an aggressive, discriminatory, behavior even when live on the show under your franchise. A couple of weeks ago she humiliated two female teenagers for being slightly overweight. Shaming persons because of their weight, especially when applying unrealistic standards, is detrimental to the self-image of young men and women and promotes hate for those with weight issues.
I believe it is your responsibility to ensure that equality and anti-discrimination policies are applied uniformly across your brands and that it is detrimental for your public image to associate yourself with TV hosts promoting homophobia. I strongly believe that your brand, promoted all over the world, needs to distance itself from hate speech against vulnerable groups and intolerant attitudes expressed by the professionals working under your franchise.
I trust you will have a firm stance on promoting equality and anti-discrimination values in all your brands, and act accordingly in relation to PRO TV and Mihaela Rădulescu.
Sincerely yours,"