by Kilian Melloy
EDGE Boston Contributor
Friday Dec 14, 2007
Mariela Castro, a sexologist in Cuba, has come out in favor of reform in
that country in order to extend legal rights and recognition to GLBT Cubans.
Despite being involved with a government-run institute, the National
Center for Sex Education (CENESEX), Castro is outspoken about her reform
proposals that would include protections for gay and lesbian families,
non-discrimination laws for GLBT individuals, adoption rights for
same-sex parents, and protections for transgendered people, reported
Inside Costa Rica in an online article today
(insidecostarica.com/special_reports/2007-12/cuba_sexual_diversity.htm).
Castro, who is the niece of Fidel Castro (and whose father is Cuba's
acting president), granted an interview in which she discussed her
championing of GLBT rights.
Castro said that the Cuabn Communist Party has been supportive of her
work, offering guidance about how to educate the citizenry before
forging forward with reforms in the legal arena.
Though Castro said that it is too early right now to bring any of the
draft legislation her organization has prepared to the Cuban parliament,
it was still her hope to see the legislation introduced soon, perhaps as
early as next summer.
Castro said that her institute has had seminars with various government
divisions, "especially with the police," and that already, as a result
of her institute's work, Cuban transsexuals returning from abroad
following gender reassignment medical procedures are allowed to register
their new gender with the government.
Castro said an agreement is also pending that would provide for training
for lawyers representing GLBT people.
Castro said that her institute has been working to make Cuban schools
more welcoming for young GLBTs, but that her organization has had less
success with the Ministry of Higher Education and with the Education
Ministry than with certain other governmental departments.
Said Castro, "A lot of prejudices have to be overcome to address these
problems in the education system."
The interview touched upon the role of media in educating the public,
with Castro saying, "I'm sure that as it becomes more natural to talk
about these issues, under the protection of the law, government agencies
will also become more flexible."
Said Castro, "Everything has to happen gradually."
As for Cuba's past treatment of GLBT people, Castro said, "Acknowledging
mistakes can be painful, especially when what was done is in conflict
with revolutionary ideology."
Added Castro, "Cuba's mistakes were very similar to those that were
committed and still are being committed in many countries," but that in
Cuba, there was an "expectation that a socialist revolution, dedicated
to freeing human beings, should not make such errors."
Castro said that in the past, "Communist parties everywhere were
extremely homophobic. Now they're adopting more inclusive attitudes."
Added Castro, "Fortunately, they have learned and become aware of those
errors and many others."
Kilian Melloy reviews media, conducts interviews, and writes commentary
for EDGEBoston, where he also serves as Assistant Arts Editor.
http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=53691
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