- Title: CUBA: Members of Cuba's gay community celebrate with "Conga" parade
- Date: 16th May 2010
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) TRANSSEXUAL, FARA, SAYING: "We will sing. We will make a show and it is a very beautiful day for us."
- Embargoed: 31st May 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Cuba
- Country: Cuba
- Topics: Domestic Politics,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVA5HYDKV6ATV0MEO6I30ENGKUSZ
- Story Text: Members of Havana's gay, lesbian and transsexual community came out to celebrate gay pride on Saturday (May 15) with a parade through the streets of Havana.
Among those in the joyous crowd of colorfully-adorned dancers was Cenesex director Mariela Castro Espin, a psychologist, sexologist and the daughter of President Raul Castro.
"Our speech is critical," said Castro Espin.
"However, it is critical that it stimulates forward motion, to move forward. We must acknowledge that we have moved forward but not as much as we had wanted and that is why we continue to challenge Cuban society regarding this topic," she said.
Castro Espin is a gay rights activist in a country with a long history of homosexual oppression including sending gays to labor camps - a policy that ended in the 1970s.
An advocate for homosexual rights, she has accused the national Communist Party - headed by her uncle Fidel Castro - of discriminating against gays and has called on leadership to end the discrimination.
"They have to take us into account. We are part of the revolution and those of us who are here are prepared to push this (gay pride) forward," said Imperio, a participant in the parade.
"It is a very beautiful day for us," said Fara, a transsexual celebrating the day.
The married 47-year-old Castro Espin has led gay rights parades in Havana and urged the government to approve gay marriage. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None