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Cuba Celebrates International Day Against Homophobia
by Rhonda J Mangus | May 22, 2008 at 04:32 am | 453 views | 16 comments | 35 recommendations
Prejudice against homosexuals remains deeply rooted in Cuban society, but the government has steadily moved away from the puritanism of the 1960s and 1970s, when homosexuals hid their sexuality for fear of being ridiculed, fired from work or even imprisoned.
And while federal, and most United States' state and local government officials work feverishly to refuse to acknowledge the rights, and move to enact legislation to preserve the dignity, health, safety, and welfare of its Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, Trans-gender and Trans-sexual citizens, Cuban citizens celebrated International Day Against Homophobia on Saturday May 17th.
The one-day conference, spearheaded by Mariela Castro, Director of Cuba's Center for Sexual Education and daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro, was joined by government leaders and hundreds of activists at a convention center in Havana's Vedado district. The conference offered lectures, panel discussions, and blood tests to screen for sexually transmitted diseases.
A precursor to the event was Cuban State television's televised broadcasting of the US film, "Brokeback Mountain"; a complex romantic drama about two homosexual cowboys who appear to live the "hetero-sexual lifestyle" to
conceal their love for one another.
May 22, 2008 at 04:32 am by Rhonda J Mangus, 453 views, 16 comments
Crowd Power
Rhonda J Mangus
North Tonawanda, New York, United States
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (16)
at 04:34 on May 22nd, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 04:55 on May 22nd, 2008
However, Cuba still blocks its citizens from normal internet usage.
While I appreciate the story, Rhonda, I pretty much think this day is another propaganda effort from the ever-efficient Castro agitprop machine. And I'm not sure exactly what you mean by government officials "working feverishly" to deny rights to "Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, Trans-gender and Trans-sexual citizens."
Could you tell us more? You may have the makings of a good op-ed piece there! :)
at 04:56 on May 22nd, 2008
Rob - thanks for the flag!
at 13:10 on May 22nd, 2008
Hi Pep - I will be glad to tell you more! Due to time constraints at the moment (sorry) and the depth of your comment, I am going to respond over several comment entries.
First, I believe "propaganda" is
present in every nation and used to a nation's advantage. In other
words - the United States spreads, in this case, propaganda about
Cuba. Consequently, I can see how some would think that "this day
[Cuba's International Day Against Homophobia] is another propaganda
effort...". The question then, "How does Cuba benefit from spreading
this "propaganda"?
Personally, I do not think it is a mystery that most US government
officials (and others) are "working feverishly" to deny its GLBT citizens their
rights. Although most state's assemblies have recognized the rights of
GLBT citizens, various state's senates (for example) are working against enacting legislation
that would protect the dignity, health, safety, and
welfare of its GLBT citizens.
There are four major issues facing the GLBT communities (including
children, youth and adults) in different ways at federal, state, and local levels in the United States including, Hate Crimes, Sex and Gender Expression Non-Discrimination, Dignity for All Students, and Same-sex marriage rights.
An overview (including international) on the legal status of same-sex marriage can be viewed here http://www.purpleunions.com/blog/index.html. The overview includes the position of government officials who are working against enacting same-sex marriage.
Hopefully this is a start, PEP. Thanks!
at 13:36 on May 22nd, 2008
How DARE you have a life outside of NowPublic!!! Heh.
at 14:39 on May 22nd, 2008
Jordan - let's just say, "I try":)! Thanks for stopping by!
at 07:03 on May 22nd, 2008
Interesting stuff! Even if this is propaganda as some have mentioned, it's not necessarily bad propaganda, is it? Not many people complained about China's 'panda diplomacy' as a means of improving their image/relations either. They're just too damn cute.
at 14:54 on May 22nd, 2008
Drew - and don't forget Japan's Tourism Ambassador, Hello Kitty, who was recently named to represent the country in China and Hong Kong under the "Visit Japan" campaign:)! Kidding aside:), thanks for your comments and the flag!
at 07:05 on May 22nd, 2008
(Ah yes, almost forgot) Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 08:46 on May 22nd, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story as it makes visible a sexual orientation that some prefer to silence or discriminate. It is my understanding there is still much more to do. A tolerant approach to transexuality is also pending in the political agenda. It's good stuff.
at 15:09 on May 22nd, 2008
Rahul - Thank you for your comments and the flag! Your understanding is correct, "there is still much more to do." Thanks again!
at 11:10 on May 22nd, 2008
Thanks for this post, Rhonda. Good stuff.
at 15:12 on May 22nd, 2008
Jarrett - you are very welcome! Thank you for the flag!
at 20:21 on June 8th, 2008
Moving photo-gallery from May 17, 2008 of World Anti-homophobia Day, Havana Cuba, (courtesy of Walter Lippmann) http://www.lajiribilla.co.cu/2008/n368_05/368_22.html
at 10:55 on October 12th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 14:15 on October 12th, 2008
Thank you, Luiz. I am linking back to your story "Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba: What about gay rights?" where a different picture is portrayed related to Cuban gay rights. Thanks again! I will catch up:)