Transgender student proudly shows the ability to wear a male uniform in Havana.

Yumisleidi Rodríguez, a transgender student in Cuba, proudly expressed on social media that he was able to choose and wear the male school uniform at his educational institution in Havana, with which he feels more comfortable and identified.

Rodríguez originally shared her joy in the Facebook group "Cuban Mothers for a Better World," but due to the controversy generated, the post was removed.

However, the activist known on that social network as Lara Crofs shared a screenshot of the original post, in which it can be seen that Rodríguez was very happy to be able to wear the uniform of his choice.

"It is my second year of logistics studies at Playa Girón school and I am grateful that I was approved to choose the uniform in which I feel most comfortable and that identifies me the most," said the student while expressing gratitude for the support of the director of the educational center.

In particular, he said he was grateful to his teacher "for giving me so much encouragement and not judging me, and to my friends in the classroom for not discriminating against me and showing me so much love."

Finally, Rodríguez emphasized that “thanks to the new code, trans adolescents can feel freer and have more rights,” referring to the Family Code or Law 156/2022 that came into effect in 2022, which included some new features such as equal marriage, solidary or surrogate gestation, and the recognition of diverse affiliations that transcend consanguinity.

The original post published by Rodríguez generated a great controversy; however, Lara Crofs highlighted the value of this trans boy while criticizing the people who attacked the young man: “The comments are shameful, the preconceived notions, the hatred towards what is different, the transphobia that some comments express, is terrible.”

"Before commenting, think about how much these people have already had to suffer for you to come and violate and marginalize them as well," said the activist, who expressed solidarity with the bravery shown by Rodríguez on social media.

Lara Croft advocated for solidarity and a better understanding: “Do not behave in a discriminatory manner, do not violate their rights. Their sexual identity does not define the kind of person they are. But your comment does define you and hurts them.”

Lastly, the activist pointed out that she did not vote for the approval of the current Family Code; however, she acknowledged the importance of transgender individuals having the support of teachers and directors of educational centers in Cuba: “And if this has been thanks to the code, then I applaud it standing up.”

Although Cuba has a regulatory legal framework that recognizes and defends the rights of transgender people, everyday practice is far from what is written in black and white.

In August, Jessica Rabbit Toirac Matos, a trans Cuban woman, publicly denounced on social media an act of transphobia committed by the Provincial Directorate of Culture in the province of Guantánamo.

Through her personal Instagram account, Toirac expressed her outrage and demanded respect and recognition of her rights as a transgender woman, stating: "They are transphobic for not allowing transgender women, dancers who have been evaluated in shows, to dance on a float."