With the placement of the Cuban and LGBTI flags in the emblematic Provincial Museum La Periquera. The XVIII edition of the Cuban Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, developed annually by the National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX) and this year under the slogan Love is Law, began in Holguin. As the main venue together with Havana for on-site and virtual activities.
Joel Queipo Ruíz, first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC in the Spanish acronym) in the territory. Mariela Castro Espín, director of CENESEX, as well as representatives and coordinators of the different networks that make up the LGBTIQ+ community were present at the inauguration.
On that occasion, singer Nadiel Mejías referred how the day is an essential space for dialogue, reflection and commitment to diversity and inclusion.“We gather to reaffirm that respect for human dignity and equal rights as fundamental principles of our society. This day invites us to raise awareness, educate and promote mutual understanding, recognizing the richness brought by the diversity of sexual orientations and gender identities.
It is also an opportunity to renew our collective commitment in the fight against all types of discrimination. To building together a fairer and more united country”, concluded Mejías.
This day includes a broad program of academic, educational, community, communicational and artistic activities in all Cuban territories. In order to contribute to the effective exercise of the rights of all people through Comprehensive Sexuality Education.
Among the main activities planned are a community health fair for the well-being of the family in the Pedro Díaz Coello Community. A master conference by Dr. Mariela Castro Espín at the University of Medical Sciences Holguin. A cultural gala at the Comandante Eddy Suñol Theater.
A floral offering to Calixto García in the park that bears his name. A Holguin conga or parade that will go from Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Park, better known by the name of “Calixto García”, to the park that bears his name. And a “conga holguinera” or “pasacalle” that will go from the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Park. A conversation with the city’s historian and Dr. Mariela Castro; the presentation of the documentary Quba, by the American filmmaker Kim Anno and the presentation of the book TRANSCUBA.
Although Cuban society is heir to a culture with a marked patriarchal approach. It is currently witnessing a political and social environment marked by the implementation of Law 156 of the Family Code and other legal norms that guarantee equal rights and equity among Cubans.
It is a firm purpose of CENESEX to ensure the effective exercise of the rights of LGBTIQ+ people, through Comprehensive Sexuality Education. As well as to reflect on family plurality and respect for sexual rights related to sex, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity and expresión. To make visible the different forms of discrimination and violence based on sex, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression in family spaces.
It also seeks to facilitate scientific exchanges of experiences of activism for the sexual rights of all people, in relation to the process of updating the Cuban legal system.
In the specific case of the province of Holguin during the legislative referendum of September 2022 that turned the Family Code into the law of love and affection, as primary values of Cuban families, only 53.58 percent of the total votes cast in favor of the approval of the Family Code were reached.
It was one of the territories with the lowest results, which shows the need to carry out even more educational work on the rights of all persons, through Comprehensive Sexuality Education.
The current times, not exempt of challenges that still persist in the implementation of the legal norm and in the deconstruction of stereotypes and prejudices associated with sexuality, show that Love is Law.
Translated by Aliani Rojas Fernández
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