Cubans demand on social networksYusimy González Herrera, director of Communication and Content of the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television (ICRT), who resigns from her position,after homophobic statements by the woman that came to light in an audio shared on theShow Hello Ota-Ola.
González Herrera made his statements in what appears to be an internal meeting of the institution with directors of radio programs. In this space he showed hiscomplete rejection of what he calls “platinum voices”in the male announcers of Cuban radio.
“To be more specific, theplatinum voices are soft voices, soft voices, mannered voices. And it's not just about announcers. They are journalists and they are collaborators. There are collaborators… My Lord!” he is heard saying in a surprised and angry tone.
According to Yusimy, these voices intervene in the quality of the transmission of the radio message andshould be avoided whyThey detract from the credibility and professionalism of the radio in Cuba.
“It doesn't make a credible message. When you start to draw little flowers and colors in the voices, my sir, the message was distorted.It is not believable. And if you designed the program for a male voice and a female voice, it's a male voice and a female voice,"the official sentenced.
Theresponse from the Cuban LGBTIQ community was immediate. Immediately after these audios were shared, publications began to emerge on social networks demanding the resignation of the official.
“We demand the immediate resignation of this official from a Cuban public media, and the ICRT's apologies for such an affront to LGBTIQ professionals who work in that environment. Homophobia in Cuba is institutional, and it is unconstitutional, illegal, and simply a shame,” Isbel Díaz Torres published on the social network Facebook.
The official was aware of the controversy that her words aroused. He dedicated part of his speech totry to "save" its harsh message of censorshipto the “platinum voices”.
“I do it with all respect and responsibility, to mewhat interests me is professionalism, not anyone's sexual orientation", he indicated reiterating that the word, rhythm and tone are the tool of Cuban radio and have a design.
These words are interpreted by the LGBTIQ community as an affront topoint out that their voices are not professional, and for questioning the commitment and validity of their work and dedication to the profession.
Citizen Rogelio Rivas, aCuban stunned by the recent statements of the ICRT Communication Director, was questioned on the social network Facebook:
“Again the ICRT with its institutional homophobia! I would like friends from radio and TV to give me their opinion on this matter, because this is the greatest lack of respect for the LGBTI community in recent times.“So, Yusimi González Herrera, a homosexual is not a good professional?”.
The Director of Communication and Content of the ICRTblame first of all the directors of the radio programs that the“Platinum voices” spread on Cuban radio. Besides,holds the artistic council and the boards of directors responsible of the different radio stations, calling them permissive.
Yusimy delves into something even more complex, thechange that people who come to the radio with a voice can bringand with the passage of timethey begin to “have another tone”.
“You can take a philosophy test, get 100 points and then put it into practice.another thought exercise. Those are the people we have to detect. That is valid for any terrain, such as programs that were presented with a formidable project and as time passes that project becomes rarer andyou have to remove it. The same thing happens with voices.”, he indicated as a way of warning about issues of greater ideological significance.
The ICRT Director of Communication and Content also finds the use of diminutives outrageous. “Beyond the two voices, it is the "coffee," the "little cup." By the rosary beads, gentlemen! And that is still not a problem today, butIf we don't take care of it now, it will be a problem.”, assured the ICRT board.
Cuban presenter Alex Otaola shared this audio on his programHello! Ota-Ola live on YouTube Live thisTuesday, July 14, 2020. The exact date of Yusimy González's statements has not been known until the time of writing this article.
HeICRT has not spoken in support or against the statements of the official. ThisIt is not the first case of homophobia and censorship that has been reported in this institution which is directed by the Central Committee of the Communist Party and the Council of State of Cuba.
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