Against homophobia

By Weekly Archive On Apr 22, 2009

It
is no secret to those who read the international press with their
eyes wide open that the manipulation of news from Cuba is frequent.
Sometimes it isn’t even the fault of the correspondents (only
sometimes, however) because the editors of the main corporate media
are not interested in anything that makes Cuba look good. So, it is
frequent that situations already overcome (or exaggerated) are kept
on the front pages as "breaking news" while the country’s
advances in the same areas are silenced, ignored or distorted.

One
of the less-disseminated news is the work being accomplished by
Cuba’s Center for Sexual Education (CENESEX), a nongovernmental
institution devoted to the promotion of a full and healthy sexual
life. Created in 1989 as an offshoot of the National Working Group
for Sexual Education (1972), the CENESEX has done important work in
support of the struggle against AIDS and other sexually transmitted
diseases, as well as the school program for sexual education. It also
promotes the equality of sexual preferences and defends the rights of
gays, lesbians, transvestites and transsexuals.

For
example, did our readers know that Cuban TV in 2008 aired a widely
watched series that dealt with homosexual relations, even of married
men, honestly and straightforwardly? The series, suggested by
CENESEX, its consultant, provoked the public’s rejection and
acceptance (surprisingly for some, more of the latter than the
former) but its most important accomplishment was that it brought out
of the closet an issue, present in society, whose discussion is
inescapable. In a traditionally machista
society
(although changing), this was a huge step forward, a typical
"man-bites-dog" news item of the kind that newspaper
editors love. But few, if any, media outlets reported it abroad.

On
March 26, CENESEX initiated what it called "A Campaign for
Respect for Free Sexual Orientation." Its objective, according
to the campaign’s website, is "to contribute to the education of
all of society, with emphasis on college youth, in the respect for
free and responsible sexual orientation and gender identity as an
exercise of equity and social justice." To this end,
conferences, workshops, seminars, film debates and video debates will
be held two Thursdays every month at the University of Havana’s
Students House. The campaign will have an important moment on May 14,
World Day Against Homophobia, with a grand festival in the Cuba
Pavilion of Havana’s La Rampa, a place frequented by young people and
the stage for frequent cultural events. The event will include music,
debates, and stands for gay and lesbian organizations. Progreso
Semanal will be there to report.

(An
interview with Mariela Castro Espín, director of the CENESEX, will
appear May 7 in Progreso Weekly.)

For
more information about CENESEX, turn to www.cenesex.sld.cu

German
Piniella is assistant editor and translator for Progreso Semanal, the
Spanish-language version of Progreso Weekly.