Six days ago in Havana was the Fifth Cuban Day Against Homophobia. Activists called on the government of Cuba to legalize unions between same-sex couples, up to and including marriage, as well as adoption and assisted reproduction.
Today the country has no law penalising sexual diversity. But it also has no legislation protecting such diversity, according to legal experts. In January, the first National Conference of the Cuban Communist Party (PCC) set the goal of combating all forms of discrimination, explicitly including discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.
The head of the country's National Sex Education Center (CENESEX) is Mariel Castro, 50, daughter of President Raúl Castro. She is currently visiting the United States, much to the consternation of anti-Castro and Republican forces. Castro will be participating in a gathering of the Latin American Studies Association (LASA) in San Francisco on Thursday. Next Monday she will be speaking at the New York Public Library.
I never wanted any part of that, 'the daughter of . . .' . I despise people who get on that kind of carriage, and I love myself very much for not doing so. I never did, and I never will.
While politicians on the east coast have been voicing their opposition to Castro's visit because of just that "daughter of…" connection, West Coast voices have been much more accepting:
I think Mariela Castro has important things to say. Why is she so controversial? It's a controversy just because she's a daughter of a Castro?
--Maria Elena Diaz, a native of Cuba and history professor at UC Santa Cruz
Castro's schedule includes her speaking about transgender health issues at San Francisco General Hospital today. as well as meeting with GLBT advocates and heading a panel at LASA at the Marriott Marquise Hotel.
The meeting with activists and leaders of San Francisco's LGBT community will be at the LGBT Center, 1800 Market Street, tonight from 6 to 7:30. It is open to the public. Ms. Castro will be interviewed on stage by CBS-5's Liam Mayclem with an opportunity for a public Q&A.
We met with Mariela Castro when we were in Havana a few weeks ago - she was funny, interesting and really engaging. She's the number one champion of LGBT rights in Cuba, using her prominent position in Cuban society to educate the public. This meeting is an opportunity for our community to support the LGBT human rights movement in Cuba.
--Jeff Cotter, Rainbow World Fund Executive Director
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, Florida Republican, assailed the Obama administration Tuesday for granting visas to "high-level members of the Castro regime" — taking particular aim at the decision to allow the daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro to enter the country.
Democrats countered that Republicans are playing politics with the issue, ignoring the fact that Mariela Castro Espin also received a visa in 2002 when President George W. Bush was in office.
--Washington Times
USA Today reported last week that while Ms. Castro Espin heads the Cuban National Center for Sex Education in Havana, she has no official link to the government.
This meeting is about friendship and building bridges. Dialogue is the foundation for positive change. I look forward to learning more about LGBT life in Cuba and hearing Mariela's unique perspective on change in Cuba."
-- San Francisco Supervisor Scott Weiner
The Center is a welcoming place for our diverse LGBT community, connecting people and opportunities to build a stronger community and more equitable world. This evening represents a unique opportunity to connect LGBT people and our allies from San Francisco to Cuba, in support of human rights for all.
-- Rebecca Rolfe, LGBT Center Executive Director
Castro is not only a 'lightning rod' because of her name and heritage. She is also
...one of the most prominent activists internationally working to improve the lives of transgender people.
--Daniel Karasic, UC-San Francisco psychiatrist
Once notorious for shipping gay men to labor camps, observers say Cuba has evolved. The island in 2008 passed a law covering sex-change surgery under national health insurance and gay pride rallies are now common.
Castro is traveling with 64 other Cuban academics (some sources have the number at 76).
Mariela Castro Espin is married with three children.
She is a pioneer, an academic and political authority who stands up for human rights.
--Gloria A. Careaga Perez, Professor of Psychology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico who will be on Castro’s panel