CUBA: Cubans march against homophobia in Havana

Record ID: 214680

  • Title: CUBA: Cubans march against homophobia in Havana
  • Date: 10th May 2014
  • Summary: HAVANA, CUBA (MAY 10, 2014) (REUTERS) DEMONSTRATORS WAVING GAY PRIDE FLAG CUBANS MARCHING FOR HOMOSEXUAL RIGHTS PHOTO OF CHE GUEVARA MUSICIANS PLAYING A CONGA RHYTHM PEOPLE DANCING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CUBAN GAY RIGHTS ACTIVIST, VICTOR HUGO ROBLES, SAYING: "It has become the desperate shout of freedom of all Latin America and the Caribbean that demands respect for divers
  • Embargoed: 25th May 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Cuba
  • Country: Cuba
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAC1BSYXCB1VMVEUVFCSQQ3KSCJ
  • Story Text: Hundreds of members of Cuba's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community marched to a conga beat through the streets of Havana on Saturday (May 10) to call for an end to homophobia on the Caribbean island-nation.
    The march, which began near Havana's famed sea front, was led by gay rights champion and daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro, Mariela Castro.
    Mariela Castro is a parliamentary representative, heads Cuba's National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX) and is an outspoken gay rights advocate. She is reputed to have used her influence to persuade Cuba to grant certain rights to gay communities.
    As the march commenced, hundreds of people, many waving rainbow-coloured flags and banners carrying slogans calling for equality, marched and danced through Havana's streets.
    "It has become the desperate shout of freedom of all Latin America and the Caribbean that demands respect for diversity, respect for equality and respect for the human rights of homosexuals, lesbians, bisexuals, transsexuals, intersexuals of Latin America. It is important in Cuba because Cuba is placed at the forefront of the defense of these rights," said gay rights activist, Victor Hugo Robles.
    Castro delivered a speech, where she discussed progress made and challenges that remain.
    "Cuban society is advancing this fight. Each time there are more institutions and social groups that support us, that unite us although we still fight the resistance by people that do not understand the undeniable inclusive nature of the Cuban revolutionary process," she said.
    Castro said that she has the support of her father, Cuban President Raul Castro.
    Homosexuality was repressed in Cuba for many years under communist rule as a counter-revolutionary deviation. That policy was relaxed in the 1980s.
    In 2008, the Cuban Ministry of Public Health gave the green light for free sex change operations that benefited 28 transsexuals.
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