Mariela Castro, CENESEX director and Rene Gonzales, one of the “Cuban Five”

During this month the island is celebrating the sixth edition of the Cuban Day Against Homophobia. The LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community on the island, in their eternal struggle against rejection and exclusion, joins in an apparent cultural celebration organized by the government.

The smiling faces of several LGBT people, marking the day, suggests a satisfied community.

However, the government has not taken any firm steps with regard to respect for sexual rights. The island does not recognize same-sex couples let alone allow their adoption of children. No accusations of gender discrimination may be brought in the Cuban courts.

Under slogans like “Socialism yes, homophobia, no,” Mariela Castro, daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro and director of the National Sexual Education Center (and also a Deputy to the National Assembly), leads the activities of the day. Unofficial sources reported that some detractors of the Deputy were prevented from attending some events.

On the night of Saturday May 11, the Cuban Gala Against Homophobia was being held with the presence of Cuban agent Rene Gonzalez, who was officially recognized, as was reported in Granma, the Communist Party mouthpiece newspaper. Also, the Gala was chaired by the First Vice President of the Councils of State and Ministers, Miguel Diaz-Canel, and the President of the Cuban Union of Writers and Artists, Miguel Barnet.

“More than a cultural gala it appeared to be a political act,” said one gay college student attending the event. “There was a great presence of uniformed and plainclothes police. The performances of the transvestites (men who dress as women’s clothing as an art form) took place in front of photos of “The Five,” the student said in reference to the five spies sentenced in the United States.

According to this observer, the speakers of the evening repeated, “Long live diversity and freedom for the Cuban Five!” He questioned, “I do not understand what one thing has to do with the other, why do they flood our few spaces flooded political slogans?”

Lissy, an LGBT member, confessed her discomfort in one part of the gala in which a transvestite speaker, paraphrasing the famous gay expression (“Out of the way, Mirtha Medina*, Annia Linares* has arrived”), replaced it with “Out of the way, Obama, Mariela has arrived.”

“The worst thing is that many at the joke, I don’t know, but the most culture they had was the closing song by Los Van Van,” he said.

A gay intellectual who requested anonymity criticized that spaces for debate are only granted to discuss the issue of homosexuality in the context of the day. “There hasn’t been a lot of outreach about the activities and in many of the events there is little gay presence.”

According to this year’s report to the UN Universal Periodic Review, by the Cuban government, on the island they are “promoting respect for freedom of sexual orientation and gender identity.” Brazil recommended to the Cuban delegation that they expand the opportunities for dialogue and interaction on these issues. However, beyond dialogue, the Cuban LGBT community needs laws to protect their sexual rights.

May 17 is World Day Against Homophobia. In over 50 countries homosexuals are persecuted and in at least 8 they are sentenced to death. In other countries there is cause for celebration because of the advances with respect to their rights. We hope that this event will be held in Cuba without ideological manipulation and a common message: non-discrimination.

*Translator’s note: Both are Cuban singers.

Text taken from Cubanet and posted in Wendy and Ignacio’s blog

17 May 2013

With another year of the period of pretend “reforms” implemented by the Government ending, free access to information remains distant and unchanged. Besides buying and selling homes and traveling abroad, internet access is one of the most anticipated changes Cubans.

However, in 2012 the Ministry of Informatics and Communications (MIC) issued no legal statute to open the possibility of connecting for individuals. One of the justifications most commonly tossed out was that “economic and technological constraints prevent a broader distribution of that service.”

At least twenty of the resolutions issued last year by the Minister of Information, Medardo Diaz Toledo, allowed the preparation and circulation of postcards and stamps in tribute to historical dates and events like Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day , etc … But only one statute alluded to internet access. In May, the MIC charged the State-owned phone company ETECSA with the task of implementing programs to provide this service at the headquarters of state associations of disabled people.

Some speculate that the connection charge will be reduced to 6 CUC an hour, still excessive. Others, more optimistic, aspire to surf the web from home, a grace which, in Cuba, only high government officials and personalities linked to culture, science and sport enjoy.

A senior MIC official insisted that even with the installation of a fiber optic cable, it is impossible to guarantee massive internet access “due to internal problems of a technical and financial character.”

“There are many homes that still do not have telephones and the local computer platform will not support an avalanche of connectivity,” he said.

According to statements by Hilda Arias Perez, director of ETECSA Mobile Services — the only telecommunications company in Cuba — the island has more mobile phones than fixed.

“The total number of fixed telephone lines has reached 1,162,000, of which 109,000 correspond to the alternative fixed-line mode,” the official newspaper Granma announced on 18 January.

It also said that, “It is the country’s will to bring cellular service to the people.” Commercial activity for 2013 seeks to increase the number of mobile users, which amounts to about one 1,680,000.

Supposedly, the MIC is not focused on developing fixed lines, and so has to improve internet. So, Toledo Díaz reduced the rates for cellular telephony. In a short time it reduced the cost of the call from 60 to 45 cents CUC, and the cost of sending text messages from 16 to 9 cents CUC.

On January 11, the Official Gazette of the Republic published reduced the cost of voice calls from 45 to 35 cents a minute CUC.

In the last Universal Periodic Review, four years ago, the Cuban government accepted Vietnam’s recommendation about “improving information infrastructure for the benefit of society.” The government will be further reviewed at the Human Rights Council from 22 April to 3 May.

For now, only a select few have access to information. Access will continue to restrict digital pages that are “contrary to social interests, morals, good customs and affecting the integrity or security of the State,” and specific locations to connect to the network at prohibitive prices will be maintained.

A law that protects the free access to information on the Island? Might as well sit around waiting.

Translated from Diario de Cuba

2 February 2013