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Andres Gomez, the last member left of the Antonio Maceo Brigade, has been a gay activist for decades. It obviously rained on his parade.

What's funny, and I'm not even sure if I remember correctly if it was him or not, but I might have known Andres Gomez when I was at UF in the late 70s. Back then, everyone in the gay community pretty much knew each other and their weren't THAT many students that belonged to both the gay and cuban student communities. I wasn't too involved in the Cuban-American Student Association (CASA), but I had very good friends that were. It was a constant fight between the Maceitos and the rest of us. I recall that there was a Cuban gay "couple" that were Maceitos and they were always trying to recruit me. I was pretty liberal at the time, but along the lines of a Henry "Scoop" Jackson Democrat (they don't exist anymore, other than Joe Lieberman).

I used to get into huge shouting matches with them and they were always incessant at gay parties where I thought the whole topic was inappropriate. I would try to reason with them, but always wound up getting pissed off and shouting. They finally graduated and left - thank God - so I could enjoy my last couple of years at UF.

But bottom line - I'm not understanding why so many here are more or less hostile to the gay pride march in Cuba. Here is a group that the regime is supposedly "utilizing" (much like they do Blacks, or Evo Morales uses Indians in Bolivia) to show how progressive they are. That this very same group would turn against them ANNOYS them to no end (which is why Dr. Biscet is rotting in jail). But some of you depress me in showing your true colors and actually seem to support the regime in this repression.

All throughout LatAm gays are being recognized and their human rights acknowledged in constitutions. Some of you are still living in 1959. And for anyone who hasn't been to Cuba in a long time, there are TENS OF THOUSANDS of gay people that are pretty obvious to anyone in La Habana. They congregate openly on Friday nights near the Hotel Presidencial to find out where the "underground" gay parties are that weekend. But all of these parties are illegal and often raided by the police (Spanish film director Almadovar was arrested at one of them years ago). Gays in Cuba are a great source of potential rebellion against the dictatorship. Don't reject them off-hand!

Cangrejero, I think you are misunderstanding where I come from in this issue. In Cuba, any resistance to the regime is a good thing; if the parade would be a nuisance to the regime, great! I am all for it. We can argue, as Americans, the social issues, pro and con, until we are blue in the face, but that is why we are here, in a free country that allows us to agree to disagree. Over there, the gay community, the evangelicals, the librarians, the political prisoners, and the common citizen -- all of them -- are oppressed equally by the regime.

¿Nos entendemos?

Cangrejero,

As a fellow Cuban-American who is also gay (and a UF grad) I want to thank you for posting your comment. Someone should start a blog (and a campaign) to counter the small but loud LBGT faction that cries out to free the Cuban 5 and stays silent about the repression against blacks, women and the queer population going on there.
Not many people outside of the queer community would be aware of the force of a Cuban Stonewall.
Pls contact me if you want to chat more: asnosinorejas@gmail.com

I agree George, which is why EVERYONE of good faith must unite against the evil that is communism. You would be surprised at the level of support for gay people within the Catholic laity of Cuba. Remember, the UMAP were filled with Catholic youth thrown in with gays together. Instead of recriminations and hatred, they managed to form bonds of respect and mutual tolerance, along with a healthy dose of hatred for their communist oppressors. Until everyone's rights are respected, Cuba (and no country) will ever truly be free.

Peace be with you :)

Hey Tijeras - emailed you. Funny, I would say there must've been something in the water up in Hogtown, but Henry wouldn't appreciate that! LOL - GO GATORS and VIVA CUBA LIBRE!

"EVERYONE of good faith must unite against the evil that is communism."

From your mouth to God's ears...

As a proud 'Cane, in the spirit of inter-collegial amity, I'll refrain from saying anything bad about the Gators... :-)

I pray everyday for Cuba George. And my orignal comment was not aimed at your post, but at mcrs_concepcion's comment about Andres Gomez and the Maceo Brigade. Sorry about the misunderstanding! I'm very happy you covered the situation non-judgmentally.

About gays or the Gators? :-)

Both - silly wabbit! :P

Cangrejero & Tijeras,

Click on the link below and you will be able to read an essay I wrote, "Nessun Dorma" ... about HIV/AIDS in Cuba ... and "social isolation" ... one more atrocity to add to castro's legacy . . . which I just learned within the last few weeks (you may already know about it) ... it brings to mind the saying about "the more we know about castro's crimes... the more we know we don't know ...

I wish you well :) Melek

http://cubanology.com/cubareport/?p=91

"Only those who spread treachery, fire, and death out of hatred for the prosperity of others are undeserving of pity." ~ Jose Marti

Come on George, don't be so cynical. I'm sure it was just a weather delay.

I'll be back in a few days once the homosexual emphasis is over. Its about freedoms for Cubans and not about sexual preference.

Pototo,

This topic if part of the topic at large, and every bit as necessary to engage in discussion about.

-AB

I sure hope that is not Babalu's official position.

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