Ecuadoran LGBTQ activists are calling for an end to television programs that discriminate and disparage people and communities for being of African or indigenous descent and for being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex.
Two of the programs airing on television right now are particularly offensive, including a "comedic" program that portrays women from poor ethnic neighborhoods as naïve and hyper-sexual, in addition to showing sexual assaults and including racist and homophobic comments in most episodes. Another, a televised radio and skit program, offers stereotypical representations of an effeminate man for the public's enjoyment.
The activists wrote to the government asking it to enforce rights enshrined in the Constitution and in various international human rights documents that the authorities have signed on to. The letter mentions evidence from studies that show how these images and portrayals harm the public.
As with the work of media activists in the U.S., such as the Media Literacy Project and GLAAD, Ecuadorian advocates are raising awareness about media ownership and access, and calling attention to the images and words that are harmful to us all.
You can visit the website of the organization in Ecuador fighting for change here.