June 25, 2008
Not that there’s anything wrong with it…UPDATED
And speaking of Gays… Not that there’s anything wrong with it…
Today in Havana, Gay, Lesbian, Transgendered and Bi-Sexual Cubans will hold their first ever Gay Pride Parade.
It’s more like a protest march, really.
Marchers seek an apology from the government for its past repression and, in some cases, incarceration of openly gay citizens, and the inhumane treatment of prisoners with AIDS, according to Unity.
The regime has been marketing a gay-friendly image lately led by first daughter Mariela (c)astro who held a gay rights rally in May. They also recently announced that they will perform free gender reassignment surgeries to transgendered individuals.
The Cuban gay community is pushing to see if it’s for real or more propaganda:
"We want to raise awareness but we don't want to provoke a wave of repression against the gay community," he said. "If there is a hostile reaction from the government, we will stage a much larger demonstration. We will take to the streets."
So what will the rest of the population do when they see that gays are marching “seeking” an apology for past wrongs and getting away with it-assuming they do?
Will feminists follow suit? Will blacks? Will the elderly? Will the youths?
UPDATE:(8:00PM Potts)
Well, I guess it does matter after all.
The Sun Sentinel is reporting that today’s Gay Pride March in Havana was “cancelled” because the two main organizers had been detained.
So basically, like El Cangrejero said the regime is just using Gay rights as their propaganda "vehicle" for showing "tolerance."
Activist Mario Jose Delgado announced the cancellation of the march moments before it was to start Wednesday at a park in Havana. He said two organizers who were to deliver a set of demands to the Justice Ministry were detained one day earlier. Delgado said he has no details of the arrests.
"The president of the Cuban League Against AIDS and the president of the Foundation LGTB Reinaldo Arenas in Memoriam have been arrested," Delgado said. "They were to be here with our written demands but now we cannot carry out our activity."
More lies, propaganda and smoke and mirrors with the only right that the Cuban people of whatever orientation have is the right to remain silent.
CAMBIO
Posted by Gusano at June 25, 2008 01:25 PM
Comments
Will everyone?
Posted by: George L. Moneo ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.babalublog.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 25, 2008 01:54 PM
Well now it is clear that Raul is in charge
Posted by: Larry Daley at June 25, 2008 02:52 PM
It would, indeed, be FABULOUS if everyone joined in! After all, pretty much every cuban citizen (except for the CDRs, the Rapid Response Brigades, and the visiting Maceitos) has a "grievance" against the dictatorship. This would be a glorious opportunity for cubans to completely embarrass the government. I hope things get out of hand for them. It pisses me off to no end that the cuban dictatorship would use the (world-wide) oppression of gays as their "vehicle" for showing "tolerance."
HOW REPUGNANT!
Posted by: Cangrejero de Caibarien at June 25, 2008 03:24 PM
Sorry guys! I do not support homosexual rights even if it is in Cuba. I will stick to political freedom for Cuba. There are more important things in Cuba than someones sexual preference.
I am sure Cuba will "tolerate" the march as it is politically correct to the liberals. Its too bad that freedom for Cuba is not PC among the same liberals. raul will embrace homosexuals, punish dissidents and come out smelling like a rose.
Posted by: pototo at June 25, 2008 03:35 PM
Isn't Raul Gay anyway?
Posted by: readytoshoot at June 25, 2008 04:09 PM
Just noticed this post via PerezHilton about the Gay Pride Parade. I guess no one has a voice in Cuba...
Posted by: j2tharome at June 25, 2008 07:21 PM
Raul couldn't find the right size fishnets to be the grandmaster of the parade.
Tolerance, schmolerance. This is Cuba! It was not a parade, it was a charade.
Posted by: Claudia4Libertad at June 25, 2008 09:30 PM