Homophobia and Transphobia constitutional banned in Cuba

Interviewed by CubaYes regarding the 12th edition of the Cuban Days against Homophobia and Transphobia -from May 7-18, Manuel Vázquez Seijido, subdirector del Centro Nacional de Educación Sexual (Cenesex) also coordinator of the organizing committee, stated that this year the activities are being developed in a particular context, taking into account the proclamation of a new constitutional text.

He stressed that, for the first time, sexual rights and, in particular, those of LGBTI people (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, intersex) are made visible in a general way.

“We are talking about the proscription of all discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, expressed in Article 42 of the Magna Carta, and also in Article 82, on the institution of marriage, which nullifies the distinction between men and women and thus guarantees equal access for people to formalize their union.

“Today there is a regulation regarding these rights that did not exist before and, of course, this will definitely mark a turning point in everything that is done in terms of sexuality education, health and sexual rights.

He explained that it is in this context that these days are inserted today with the slogan “Rewrite happiness. All rights for all people.

“The organizing committee decided to extend the theme to two years – as in previous editions – precisely in order to continue the process begun with the Constitutional Reform and which will continue with other legislative modifications.

“We are not only looking at what has just happened with the Constitution, but also at what is going to happen with the rest of the legal norms, especially with the Family Code, which is going to contemplate an important group of constitutionally regulated contents related to the sexual rights of persons.

“I am thinking, perhaps, of the issues of filiation (they do not only have to do with LGBTI people, but include them); of the more specific regulation of marriage without gender discrimination; of the issues associated with the formation of different families, far from hegemonic, heteronormative configurations; of assisted reproduction as a way of forming families, of generating filiation links that are not (necessarily) associated with traditional adoption or the natural fact of having children.

“Also in other extensions of rights, as in the case of grandparents or other relatives, whose active participation in family dynamics in terms of care and responsibilities was not previously recognized.

What is the balance of these Days?

“The Days draw attention to discriminatory contexts. For this reason, the first thing we dedicated a campaign to was the family, which should be a space of love, of protection, of support; where equality acquires a particular importance. However, contrary to this, we find experiences of LGBTI people who identify in the family the first exclusion, the first oblivion.

“Then, we stopped in the workplace, fundamental for the link with people’s lives, and also in the school environment, for the very relevant connection it has with people’s dignity and human development. These are the closest antecedents of the Days.

“I believe that the balances are positive in several ways, and among the most important ones is that the Economic and Social Development Plan up to the year 2030 included the issues of sexual orientation and gender identity; that is to say, it is the policy of the Cuban State to fight against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

“Evidently, this does not come from heaven, it cannot be built without the existence of transformation processes that have led to the issue being placed among the priorities. And the Constitution continued along these same lines.

“The fact that the draft that was submitted for debate in the National Assembly – and that was later analyzed by the population in different spaces – contemplates NO discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, and marriage without distinction, it is a result of the educational work carried out for many years by the Center, in alliance with other organizations and institutions of civil society.”

“This, perhaps, is the most visible, but there are a lot of favorable experiences, such as the support of the different ministries (Public Health, Education, Higher Education and others), as well as centers, institutions and trade union leaders.”

“There has also been an increase in the number of people who come to the Center for orientation and help. These are elements that allow us to see that today those cultural monoliths that favor discrimination have been collapsing.

Dissatisfaction?

“A lot! For example, we still haven’t achieved all the impacts we want. We lack spaces where we should be present; we want more results in terms of training in the field.

(Taken from RHC in Spanish)