HAVANA, Cuba — Cuba’s first daughter, Mariela Castro-Espín, on Sunday said the country’s lawmakers will consider legalizing same-sex civil unions this year.
Castro-Espín, daughter of President Raul Castro, who is also the director of the National Sex Education Centre told the magazine Cuba Si that the Cuban Justice Minister, Maria Esther, said civil unions is going to be discussed “in Parliament [and] is included in the legislative plan for 2012.”
Castro-Espín added:
“I believe that the Party Conference may help to define a policy explicitly prohibiting discrimination on sexual orientation and gender identity and, in turn, help to dismantle the prejudices that hinder its adoption. The purpose of these proposals corresponds to the need to recognize and protect the rights of our (LGBTQ) population.”
Cuba’s ruling Party will gather on January 28 for its first legislative conference in 2012 where the legislative measure for reform will be put to a vote.
Castro-Espín made these comments when she asked about the draft bill that seeks to modify the Cuban Family Code to legalize same-sex unions.
She also wrote in her blog that Cuba must facilitate “cultural changes” in its society to achieve “full justice” for LGBTQ people through educational, social programs.
Castro-Espín, a sexologist, is famous in the island nation for her stance on full legal equality for LGBTQ people.
Gay pride parades are now happening regularly across the island and the government recently started a national anti-homophobia campaign.
In 2008, the Cuban government provides free sex-change operations for transgender people by ministerial decree.
Filed under: North America
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But here in America. . . ! ! !
OMG waaaaaaaaa I’m happy!!I’m half Cuban jeje
Civil Unions?? How generous of them!!
Yea it’s pretty damn sad that a communist nation can make more progress than a democratic one can. That has to say something about America. Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness my ass.
Amen Gunner! couldnt have said it better!
Wait, Cuba?!? CUBA?!?! Unbelievable!!!
This to happened in Cuba is really sad they should have their sex change some where else out side the Island where they feel like freedom
whut? Viva Cuba!!!!!!
Wow a communist country ahead of us
I knew I liked Cuba!
I love Cuba. Have always felt safe there with my husband. I can not say that about the USA….
Hope they do! I would like to visit there.
i’m happy for my cuban friends!!! hasta la victoria siempre…
Once again, Cuba proves it is far superior to the ‘almighty’ USA. Lets see, free healthcare, free education, free SRS, gay marriages. Take away the absurd embargo, bring on the tourists and industry, and see just what happens to their ‘poverty’. Communism may be a failed and miserable mutation, but Socialism is doing quite well, thank you. Just ask Northern Europe (in case you don’t follow the news, the Euro debt crisis is in Southern EU). And do not complain about their lack of freedom when you have the god and gov’t given right to be treated as a second class citizen, denied health insurance, denied a chance at a secondary education, denied the right to legally protect your family, or legally fired just for geing LGBT. ‘Freedom’ in America is a MYTH, and our ‘free’ media is almost entirely controlled by oligarchs who want to keep you in your place.
lucky for cuba why not usa they lucky