The controversy arose from a photo that was posted on social networks. In the foreground is the Argentine activist Val Flores She appeared topless, microphone in hand, surrounded by two young men who spat on her in the Luisa Cuestas Conference Room, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of the Republic (udelar).
The image corresponds to the last Wednesday of the fifteenth Academic symposium on gender and sexual diversityIt is a university activity held annually for 15 years. That fact generated resentment within the college, El Pais learned, despite the fact that the Queer Academic District, the group of researchers who organized the event, defended the show and questioned in a statement about the “removal of context” and “requests for censorship” it received when the photo went viral on wide range.
Academic sources told El País that accommodation and tickets for Flores, author of dozens of articles and theory essays, will be funded by competitive funds earmarked for Integral Training Spaces (EFI), which organizers have not yet received. Other expenses for the fifteenth symposium were covered by the college budget itself. According to the informants, the organizers confirmed this information to the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Carmen Medalia, who consulted them about financing the show after the photos were revealed.
Neither Midaglia nor the President of the University of the Republic, Rodrigo Aremnor political scientist Diego Sembole, who is in charge of the Quere Academic District, responded to questions from El País.
The initiation of an administrative investigation is not excluded, but it was not determined until the closing of this edition.
Discomfort
The sources pointed out that the photo caused a disturbance at the deanship level for various reasons. Primarily due to the destination of the money itself, considering teachers’ demand for more budget while Parliament debates responsible.
Second, because the activity, which required months of preparation, had many exhibitors and lasted three days, was “disfigured” by this interference.
In addition, the sources indicated that from the environment of Midaglia they recorded that the meeting room was not the most suitable place for this show.
Although the semi-naked Argentinian writer was not written – as they asserted – those who summoned her know her repertoire. Therefore, they could have foreseen that the performance ending in spitting, as in this case, was to be expected.
In an entry on the College of Social Sciences’ website, which Elbais retrieved using the Wayback Machine after it was removed, the activist was introduced as “teacher, writer, schism activist, chonga lesbian, prosex, feminist”.
There it was also noted that Flores “acts at the crossroads of educational practices, writing and artistic gestures, to raise questions from the Sudaka feminist movement”.
Ramifications
After Flores’ intervention was announced yesterday morning, several leaders of the ruling party questioned the University of the Republic. This is the case for a national senator Grace Bianchithe former principal of the Francisco Bauzá Lyceum, who assured El País that she would pursue the case, although she had not yet decided how.
“I haven’t specified the procedure but I don’t think I’m satisfied with the reporting request,” he replied when asked if he would undertake this parliamentary procedure.
Colorado Representative Philip Chebani considered Flores’ performance to be “in very bad taste,” having a “disturbing” atmosphere and even “surreal edges.” In his opinion, the institution should open an administrative investigation.
In the same sense, his white husband expressed himself Paul Vianawho referred on Twitter to “public disdain.”
At the conclusion of this issue, the Faculty of Social Sciences would not have given an institutional response to criticism directed, mostly, through social networks.
“Showing breasts and a little saliva to contemplate, terrifies them”
The statement from Queer Academic District, which defended the initiative, dismissed the criticism: “Showing breasts and a little saliva for the purpose of contemplation seems to scandalize some people and spur requests for censorship that we’ve known how to face at another date.” Moments, removing the context of the presentation which, may or may not be likable, but was intended to enable dialogue. It is clear that body, thought and action, remain a challenge in the twenty-first century.”
Rebelarte, one of the groups that took part in the event, said attendees felt “disgust and pleasure” leaving their saliva in glass cups as a “show”.
“We saw how the conference room became a space for shared experience and ceased to be her and us (sic). As this room ceased to have a front and a back,” this dedicated photography group expressed.
“Creator. Devoted pop culture specialist. Certified web fanatic. Unapologetic coffee lover.”