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Big Strides in Gay and Transgender Rights in Cuba Mariela Castro Tells London Audience

■ Alberto Roque (left), Peter Tatchell and Mariela Castro at Pride London prior to their Q&A session on Cuban gay rights at The Barbican. photo UK Gay News

LONDON, July 6, 2009  –  Cuba has made big strides on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights in recent years, Mariela Castro told an audience at the Barbican Centre cinema on Saturday evening.

Ms. Castro, the daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro and niece of Fidel Castro, was speaking during a ‘question and answer’ session following a screening of the pioneering Cuban gay film Strawberry and Chocolate, made in 1993, and being show as part of the Pride London Festival.

She emphasised that despite the progress on LGBT rights, more progress was needed.

Describing LGBT rights as an on-going, evolving process, she admitted that a major obstacle was Cuba’s long-standing, historical tradition of male machismo.

With Peter Tatchell chairing the session, Ms. Castro was joined by the film's co-director Juan Carlos Tabio and Cuban LGBT activist, Alberto Roque.

Mr Roque said that Cuba's celebration of IDAHO Day in May this year was another important step towards raising the visibility of LGBT people and issues

Ms. Castro is the director of the Cuban Centre for Sex Education in Havana which campaigns for effective HIV/Aids prevention as well as LGBT human rights.

Four years ago she proposed a scheme that would allow to allow transgender people to receive reassignment surgery – and to legally change their gender.

According to former Castro family confidante Norberto Fuentes, Ms. Castro is considered the rebel in the family, Wikipedia states.

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