Fidel Castro's Niece Urges Gay Rights

  

 

 

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE  

 

 

Mariela Castro, daughter of President Raul Castro, called Tuesday for reforms to allow homosexual unions and an end to discrimination against gays by the ruling Community Party.

In comments to the press, Mariela Castro said the question was discussed at last month's Communist Party congress as part of an effort to fight homophobia.

"We had a dialogue," said Castro's daughter, who also heads the National Center for Sex Education. "We also were to present written comments" on measures to end marginalization of gays as part of a series of reforms.

She added that the National Assembly has been discussion reforms to the family code for the past three years to allow civil unions for gays, but that no final measure has achieved a consensus.

Cuba had in the past showed little tolerance for homosexuality, and operated camps for several years to stamp out "counterrevolutionary" values.

Even after the camps closed, oppression against gays continued, instigated by members of the local Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDRs), block monitors who often turned in their gay neighbours.

In recent years the situation has improved and Cuba has allowed surgery for gender change following efforts by Mariela Castro.

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