Cuban Catholic Church Opposes Gay Rights, First Gay Pride Cancelled

The Associated Press reports Cuba's Roman Catholic Church, long repressed under the Fidel Castro regime, is flexing its newly-liberated muscle to protest the communist government's growing support of gay rights: "Respect for the homosexual person, yes," said an editorial in Palabra Nueva, the monthly magazine of the Archdiocese of Havana. "Promotion of homosexuality, no."

The editorial referred to activities held May 17 by Cuba's Sex Education Center, which is directed by Mariela Castro, daughter of President Raul Castro. That's when the government announced it will offer free sex reassignment surgery for transsexuals although reportedly only "28 transsexuals have already expressed interest in the procedure" and "no firm start date has been set for the surgeries." The parliament is also investigating marriage equality for gays and lesbians

More disappointing news. Today would have seen the communist nation's first gay pride march, and, not coincidentally, police shut down the event moments before it was supposed to begin. At least two organizers were detailed. The march was not sanctioned by Cuba’s National Center for Sex Education. Cuba's gay and lesbian community is making some progress, but, sadly, the island remains a police state.

Cuba's 1st gay pride parade is scrapped [Chi Trib]
Cuban church protests support for gay rights [AP]

Comments

[taylor Siluwe]

Sad news. Especially with all the recent progress of late. But for every action, there's a reaction. So it should have been expected.

"Promoting homosexuality"? Like, as if to say, You too can be gay! I guess the Columbus Day parade promotes the rape and plunder of a country then; and maybe the Saint Patricks Day parade promotes Irishness (as if they're recruiting new Irish).

What a moronic indefensible position. But I've come to expect no less from most churches.

[XAVIER G]

Sure, Taylor, many of the religious doctrines are interpreted as believing homosexuality is a choice. They are wrong of course, but, people have to have something to believe in.