CUBAN TRANSITIONS

Since the revolution, many changes have swiftly transformed Cuban society, through extensive programs aimed at various aspects of daily life. One of the most impressive changes is the shift in mindset that has apparently occurred regarding sexual rights and homosexual behavior. Considering that prior to the 1970s homosexuality was punishable by law in Cuba, acceptance of any deviance from heterosexuality is “revolutionary” for the island. However since then there has not only been a transformation to tolerate homosexuality, but a progressive movement toward equalizing rights and viewing the LGBT community with respect.

At our visit to the National Center for Sexual Education (CENESEX), I was impressed by discussion about the apparent emphasis placed on sexual education in schools. At the start of the meeting we watched a video in which young children discussed gender roles, women’s rights, and homosexuality in eloquent and well informed jargon – whether or not these were the words of the children themselves is unclear, but the fact that these messages are evidently at least emphasized is revealing of the priorities of CENESEX. This sort of sexual education is offered in all schools, and considering that education is required and available for all Cuban citizens, this signifies that all children are exposed to these positive messages at a young age.

One of the reasons for such progress in sexuality is the work of Mariela Castro, who serves as a strong leader for the movement. She is a forceful public image, recognized and supported by the government and the populace. While she derives legitimacy in part through her relationship to her father, she is unquestionably a qualified  and sensible leader passionate about tackling any attitudes or manifestations of homophobia.

The status of gay marriage in Cuba is up in the air at the moment, but one thing that was clear from our talk at CENESEX is that the Cuban idea of marriage is very different from our perception of marriage in the US. For one thing, the “perks” involved are less tangible – Since all Cubans should have access to healthcare, education and a home prior to getting married, the legal impetus for marriage  – some inheritance and property rights – are less pronounced. Another aspect that clashes with marriage in the United States is the different terminology used. Our questions about the status of gay marriage seemed to keep being dodged, or answered doubtfully, which initially gave many of us the impression that gay marriage was not a realistic goal. It turns out, however, that this was a miscommunication, due to the language barrier and different vocabulary that was confusing us. CENESEX was not promoting gay marriage because they are tackling the issue from a different angle. Rather than trying to attain marriage rights for gays, they are attempting to switch all marriage over to civil unions. This is to avoid the religious connotations of marriage that they feel are, in many cases, irrelevant and arbitrary.

The progressiveness of the Cuban ideology about marriage was very impressive, especially considering the swiftness of these changes. One question that remains unanswerable is how changes in policy are manifested in the attitudes and behavior of citizens, but it is extremely reassuring to see that these issues are clearly a priority.

Sources

http://www.cenesex.sld.cu/webs/cenesex.htm