Cuba Permits Sex Change Operations (covered by National H-C system)

[Mika]

Source: Havana Times

After a long effort to gain support, complete sex change operations are now authorized in Cuba, announced Mariela Castro, director of the National Sex Education Center (CENESEX).

Previously prohibited by law, there are approximately thirty transsexuals who have solicited the operations, reported IPS.

Mariela is the daughter of President Raul Castro and the late Vilma Espin, historic leader of the Federation of Cuban Women.


Read more: http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=9315

[Mabus]

1. Wow!

Good for Cuba.

[IndianaGreen]

2. Cuban law may recognise same-sex partners, say officials (January 2008)

Too bad Mariela is straight. She sure is hot! :9


The proposed change to Cuban family law
would put members of same-sex unions on
a par with heterosexual couples, said
psychologist Mariela Castro, who is the
daughter of acting President Raul Castro
and niece of Fidel.

Cuban law may recognise same-sex partners, say officials

By Gemma Pritchard • January 21, 2008 - 12:08

The Cuban Communist Party is considering granting legal recognition to same-sex unions, as health officials prepare to authorise sex-change operations, the director of the Cenesex sex education centre in Cuba has said.

The proposed change to Cuban family law would put members of same-sex unions on a par with heterosexual couples, psychologist Mariela Castro, who is the daughter of acting President Raul Castro and niece of Fidel, told EFE.

Cenesex, which was founded in 1989 as a department of the Public Health Ministry, approached Cuba's parliament two years ago with a proposal to overhaul the 1975 Family Code to recognise the rights of gays, lesbians and transsexuals. But it is the Communist Party that will decide whether the proposal becomes law.

"We are receiving suggestions and debating adjusting the proposal so it is more flexible and has more chance of being approved," Mariela Castro told EFE.

The principal needs of Cuban homosexuals "are related to the right to their recognition as consensual couples, as non-matrimonial couples, but that authorities recognise their property and inheritance rights in those non-legalized unions," she said.

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-6619.html

[Mika]

3. The caption of the pic is out of date, She is the current president's daughter.

Just thought I'd mention that.

I've seen/heard her speak in Havana at a conference where she subbed for her uncle Fidel. Even shook her hand. She is hot!

:hi:

[IndianaGreen]

4. Cuba is such a dictatorship that the President's daughter had to fight for same sex marriage rights

The proposed law has gotten the resistance that one expects to get in just about any Latin American country. It's a cultural resistance, rather than political.

If Cuba were the dictatorship that her detractors claim, Raul's daughter would have gotten her way a long time ago (Raul supports marriage equality for gays).

BTW, all marriages in Cuba are civil unions. This predates the Revolution. While couples would choose a religious ceremony, the marriage was not legal until a public notary would fill out the proper legal papers in the presence of the couple and their witnesses.

[Judi Lynn]

8. Had no idea you'd met her, Mika. This is tremendous news!

"Still waters run deep!" You've been here a long time before you mentioned that event.

She has had a huge impact on moving the society along, getting them out of the familiar, comfortable old rut they were in, so many there having been raised with the Catholic phobia regarding any challenge to their rigid macho values.

Was she kind? She looks very bright.

So amazed hearing your experience. Very cool!

http://www.cuba-europa.org.nyud.net:8090/UserFiles/Image/Mariela%20Castro.jpg

At her famous mother's (Vilma Espín) funeral, greeting members of the Cuban Parliament, Esteban Lazo and Carlos Lage.

http://cache.daylife.com.nyud.net:8090/imageserve/0czb8VFeFv390/610x.jpg

Same event, with her brother, Alejandro Castro Espin.

http://cubaadventures.com.nyud.net:8090/images/204mariela_castro_33.jpg

Old photo:
"CENESEX president Mariela Castro Espín center with Cuban transsexuals discussing progressive social change. She has authored and submitted legislation for state funding of sex change operations and same sex unions – both soon to become law. Ms Castro Espín is the daughter of pioneer feminist Vilma Espín and president Raul Castro."

[Mika]

12. She is a diminutive, soft spoken, smart as a whip, funny, and genuine human being.

I saw her in the late 90's at a surgical conference during one of my stays there. She stood in for uncle Fidel who had to cancel at the last minute. It was an official farewell and thanks ceremony by the Cuban Ministry of Health. She joked about the speech that Fidel had given her. That she couldn't deliver it as well as her uncle because she didn't have a beard to stroke for punctuation. So she didn't use his speech. She discussed the future of health care being in the hands of those brave enough to care, the difficulty finding young people brave enough to take the challenge on for the right reasons, and the respect that doctors and educators should be (and are) afforded in Cuba. She hoped we had experienced that with our work with them. We did.

Afterward, there was a short meet & greet and a long procession formed to meet her. She shook each participant's hand and had a genuine and kind word with each of us.

You might like to see this (there is a problem with the audio/video synchronization, which is a slight distraction), but lends some good insight on her political persuasions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9EInIlVbQ4

[Oregone]

5. We got em here too in BC

At least half covered I think. Alberta used to cover em 100% but they just changed that.

Yeah, its strange to wrap your head around it all as someone from the States. I wish I could just get my cavities filled on my government health care.

[Wednesdays]

6. K&R

:kick:

[ProudDad]

7. K&R

I'm planning on visiting Cuba again this year...

Looking forward to it. Better health care and Urban Gardens and great music!

[AB_Positive]

9. Gee, wouldn't this be nice to have in our great country of America?

/me sighs.

[freedomnorth]

10. K&R n/t.

[sofa king]

11. I wonder if they call it a/o or o/a surgery.

Because in Spanish, the surgery changes the masculinity or femininity of the patient's pronouns... or something.

Truth be told, I have limited expertise in both Spanish and English.