Latino Commission: Take Action Against Derogatory Language That Can Foster Hatred And Violence





New York, New York, – Six New York City officials have delivered a letter expressing their full support for claims filed before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) asking the federal agency to look into homophobic language used on Puerto Rican television. They are Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Council members Melissa Mark-Viverito, Rosie Mendez, Daniel Dromm and Jimmy Van Bramer. The television show in question is the popular Puerto Rican gossip show Super Xclusivo on Wapa América which repeatedly used the anti-gay derogatory term “pato” on segments that aired April 5, 6 and 7 by co-hosts Hector Travieso and “La Comay,” a large puppet with whom Travieso gossips. The less than hilarious duo were discussing the coming out of singer Ricky Martin who is from Puerto Rico. After complaints were filed with the station and the FCC about the use of the word, the show’s hosts have increased their use of the word, arguing it is not a pejorative. The word is clearly defamatory and should never be used to describe a gay person. The use of such anti-gay and derogatory terms helps to foster prejudice which can lead to violence against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. The Latino Commission on AIDS is calling on Super Xclusivo to stop using this or any other defamatory terms and thanks our Congresswoman, the Council Speaker and our Council Members for their leadership on this issue. [download letter] TAKE ACTION NOW: Send an email to the following: Presidente y Gerente General José E. Ramos joe.ramos@wapa-tv.com Vicepresidente, Programación y Promoción Jimmy Arteaga jarteaga@wapa-tv.com Or you may call Wapa América at 787-792-4444 Or write to: Wapa América P.O. Box 362050, San Juan, P.R. 00936-2050
--- ABOUT THE LATINO COMMISSION ON AIDS The Latino Commission on AIDS (Commission) is a nonprofit membership organization founded in 1990 dedicated to fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS in the Latino/Hispanic communities. The Commission is the leading national Latino AIDS organization coordinating National Latino AIDS Awareness Day and other prevention and advocacy programs across the United States and its territories. For more information visit: www.latinoaids.org or www.nlaad.org. UNIDOS PODEMOS / UNITED WE CAN