[Marxism] Is homosexuality persecuted in Cuba?

[John Obrien]

Gays and Lesbians are not provided by the Cuban state - equal rights and protections.
 
The author of this article is wrong on many issues - starting with the assumption that there is no place in the world where Gays and Lesbians, have been truly accepted as equals! I would suggest that the author goes to Thailand in the rural poor areas and see that Thai Gays and Lesbians are respected and are BETTER OFF in that capitalist monarchist nation, as people - than in a supposedly socialist Cuba!!  And there are more places around the world that respect Gays and Lesbians, which the author is obviously not aware of - or really does not cares about accuracy.
 
It is not the common person in Cuba that prevents independent Gay groups from forming, to work for change. It is the Cuban government, police and political leadership that fears and needs to control - that this does not happen - BUT IT WILL ONE DAY - and not by this author and promoter of stupid lies, that there is no persecution of Gays in Cuba!
 
Saying it - does not make it so.  Persecution continues.  IF not, where are the Gay dance clubs and social clubs for all ages - Gay seniors and Gay youth?  Where are the independent Gay groups and their open meetings, working for change, which ALL can attend and participate in - and not fear government surveillance and repression?  The changes are from outside pressures and not by the Cuban government because they care about individual rights - but concerns about the European and other governments who have taken a stand in favor of Gay and Lesbian rights.  Cuba votes against Gay and Lesbian groups being seated at the United Nations.  Is that being supportive? 
 
How much Gay liberation materials are promoted in Cuba's libraries, schools and military?  And how many out and open Gays and Lesbians are there in the Cuban government leadership?  The Catholic Church in Cuba can promote and have its institutions and places - but not Gays? 
 
To not have open Gay groups and open Gay representatives in Government - says a lot!!!!
And one can keep sending wrong information that the Cuban government does not actively persecute - but the truth is in the real conditions and not in the rethoric.
 
 
John O'Brien
 > Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2007 10:30:31 -0700> From: walterlx at earthlink.net> To: marxism at lists.econ.utah.edu> Subject: [Marxism] Is homosexuality persecuted in Cuba?> > Much more on this subject may be found here:> http://www.walterlippmann.com/lgbt-cuba.html> =================================================> > CUBAINFORMACIONTV> > Is homosexuality persecuted in Cuba?> > http://www.walterlippmann.com/docs1536.html > A CubaNews translation. Edited by Walter Lippmann.> NOTE: The website where this is posted is from Spain.> You can watch and listen to this text, in Spanish at> the website> > > Watch video at:> http://www.cubainformacion.tv/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1631&Itemid=86> > By José Manzaneda - Coordinator of Cubainformación TV> > That homosexuals are persecuted in Cuba is a recurring assertion in> every campaign against the Cuban Revolution, so often and for so long> harped on by the media as to be taken as face value even by> progressive sectors involved in the struggle for the right to sexual> diversity worldwide.> > 1. Distortion of the historical context> > Homophobia prevailed worldwide in the 1960s and 70s, and Cuba was no> exception, As most everywhere, including Europe, homosexual men and> women were held by both society and a number of institutional> apparatuses to be subjects in need of reorientation. > ================================> > ________________________________________________> YOU MUST clip all extraneous text before replying to a message.> Send list submissions to: Marxism at lists.econ.utah.edu> Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/marxism