Yesterday, May 9th, around 2000 people marched in Cuba’s Conga Contra La Homophobia y Transphobia. It was almost similar to a United State’s gay pride parade, except that it was a government sanctioned demonstration lead by the president’s daughter, Mariela Castro. It was small and short, lasting about 20 minutes. It was missing the conservative hate groups found at the margins of similar United States demonstrations shouting about hell and sin (Such an act would be illegal in Cuba, because it is a government-sanctioned event).
When I first approached the march a Cuban shouted in me in English “Gays! No Good! Gays!” not realizing I was joining the demonstration. A week prior I met a Cuban who believes that the president’s daughter, Mariela Castro, “should be doing more for straight people.”
It is important to note, however, that the event is not a “gay pride event” as we know them in the United States. It is a government-sanctioned act against homophobia and transphobia, not for for queer recognition and celebration. The group that organizes the demonstrations, Cenesex, is a government organization. Non-profits or activist groups cannot exist outside of the revolutionary government.
I am critical of human rights in Cuba, especially for queer and trans individuals—Though I have many of the same critiques with the United States, too. Walking up the parade, I was thinking about the lack of freedom Cuban citizens have to demonstrate freely. I was pondering accusations of homonationalism. But, immediately upon feeling the energy of the crowd, it was hard to be a cynical. People were stoked.
One man, perhaps in his 60s, walked up to me with a camera and asked if I would take his picture. I took a photo of him posing in front of a dance group performing. He asked if he could take a picture of me with his camera. I was hesitant, but agreed. It dawned on my that this man had lived through the triumphs of the revolution, and therefore the homophobic laws and culture that permeated the government. He had been waiting for this day for a long time—and it was his day.
The government has a long way to go, but I was happy to witness the energy of the participating Cubans.Yo me incluyo.