We have received this for information and are happy to give space to this polite but firm condemnation of a bad example of public television, vulgar and transphobic, which occurred precisely during a broadcast related to the Athens Olympics, one of the rare events that should represent a moment of agreement and solidarity among differences.
Good morning,
I am writing to Rai2 in reference to the programme ‘'Goodnight Athens'’ aired last night, Thursday, August 19, around 11:45 PM.
The host, Mr. Mazzocchi, Professor Dal Monte, and Mr. De Magistris, speaking about a Brazilian transgender athlete, used a tone that I found profoundly offensive, and they publicly mocked, without the possibility of cross-examination, a person whose only fault was being born with a body that didn't match her personality.
As a friend and partner of a transgender person, I am personally deeply offended by the tone used in the broadcast, and saddened by how ignorance, uncorrected by feelings of human understanding and benevolence, can make people shamefully vulgar. Furthermore, one should not talk about what one doesn't know, unless one knowingly wishes to foment ignorance. And above all, one should not mock honest and dignified people.
I'm also surprised at how Professor Dal Monte, as a doctor, could confuse hermaphroditism with transgenderism: here we see how the professor is completely unaware of the issue, or is specifically trying to sow confusion among the public. The only positive note is Mr. Cannavò's words.
Remembering that deriding those who are different is the attitude of a Nazi Kapo and not that of a proper public television journalist, I hope you will apologize to all transgender people, and that in the future you will behave more carefully and respectfully towards people who are different in any way.
Sincerely.
Dr. Sara Pepi
Brescia
And here is the response received from the editorial staff of "Buonanotte Atene""
Dear Madam,
We thank you for the civility with which you have expressed your position. I assure you that no one intended to offend transsexuals or hermaphrodites. The intention was to understand the feelings or difficulties a judoka experiences when facing an athlete who a few years earlier was of a different sex. If anything offended you, we apologize to you and to anyone who felt the same way. I assure you, that was not our intention.
Best regards
The editorial staff of Buonanotte Atene
