They celebrate a march of the LGBTIQ+ community through the streets of Havana

The LGBTIQ+ community of Havana performed the traditional “conga against homophobia and transphobia”, the name given to this type of event on the island by the National Center for Sexual Education (CENESEX).

“The gay march is getting ready in El Vedado. The homosexual community of Havana marches along Third Street to 12th Street,” said the Facebook user. Pedro Luis Garcia, who also shared photos of the concentration.

The CENESEX institutional account also echoed the event, calling to celebrate that “Love is Law.”

For his part, the Council of the Municipal Administration of Plaza de la Revolución He invited you to go and walk “in solidarity and support for the LGBTIQ+ community. It is a time to raise our voices in action, demonstrating your love for inclusion and respect.”

Other activities scheduled for this week in the Cuban capital include a party for diversity at the “José Antonio Echeverría” Social Circle, this Saturday at 8:00 p.m. Meanwhile, panels, workshops and festivals will take place these days.

Last year, The LGBTIQ+ community joined the celebrations for May 17, International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, the approval in September 2022 of the Family Code, legislation that has allowed the legal union of several same-sex couples throughout the country.

However, not everything is celebration in a population group that also has representatives in Cuban prisons, due to its opposition to the Cuban regime, such as the case of transsexual activist Brenda Díaz, imprisoned in a men's prison.

Mariela Castro, daughter of former Cuban ruler Raúl Castro and director of CENESEX, has said about this case which is an "oversized story full of fantasies." While she assures that “she is doing very well” in a men's prison, after being sentenced to 14 years in prison and an additional seven months for contempt in another recent trial.

The history of the so-called “congas against homophobia”, organized and supervised by the Cuban government, has not been rosy.

In 2019After its cancellation, members of the LGBTIQ+ community decided to organize independently and march from Havana's Central Park, an activity that led to strong police repression ordered by the regime and condemned by the international press.