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The Cuban trans activist Brenda Díaz, sentenced to more than 14 years in prison for her participation in the anti-government protests of July 2021, reported that her gender identity was never respected in prison despite her family's demands.
The young woman was released as part of a process of pardons announced by the Cuban government in mid-January, and in statements to the EFE agency, she explained that after nearly four years serving her sentence, the news of her release profoundly surprised her, leaving her in "shock."
He then spoke about the mistreatment he experienced during his imprisonment.
"Today, I am a different person. I am not the Brenda I used to be. I was with 80 men. I was never treated as a trans person; they treated me like 'the inmate, the prisoner.' I said I was a trans woman, and they told me no: 'You are a man,'" she stated.
Brenda states that she faced physical humiliations, such as having her hair shaved, something that deeply devastated her. "After so much time being identified with my feminine image, seeing myself like this… that really shocked me," she recounted.
Additionally, she was denied the use of women's underwear, which for her was a reflection of the contempt towards her gender identity within the prison system.
Regarding her release, she recounted that upon receiving the news, she couldn't even pick up the phone to call her mother. Three years and seven months had passed of her life locked away in a men's module.
"It seemed unbelievable to me that, after all this time, I would be able to reconnect with everything," said Díaz, who gave the interview alongside her mother Ana Mary, a woman who has denounced the abuses against her daughter in a men's prison throughout this entire time.
She also recounted that upon hearing the news that her daughter would be released from prison, she began to scream with excitement, to the point that neighbors came to her house, concerned something had happened to her.
"They came thinking something had happened to me. It was the most emotional moment of my life because I couldn’t see the day when she would be free," he emphasizes.
To celebrate her release, Brenda organized a party at her home to reunite with her friends and family. Additionally, the young woman, whose case has become a symbol of struggle for the trans community in Cuba, had her nails done again, something she always enjoyed doing before her imprisonment.
"That has given me more strength. I believe that, in those places, each person should be treated as they are and as they wish," she expressed.
Although the Family Code was approved in 2022, which legalized marriage and adoption for same-sex couples, Brenda Díaz believes that discrimination against trans people persists in Cuba. "If I am a trans person, treat me as such," she stated.
The Cuban regime promised to free 553 inmates after President Joe Biden removed Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
However, a week later, when Donald Trump reversed the measure and reinstated the island on the listing, the regime halted the releases.
Frequently Asked Questions about Brenda Díaz's situation and trans rights in Cuba
Who is Brenda Díaz and why was she imprisoned?
Brenda Díaz is a transgender Cuban woman who was sentenced to more than 14 years in prison for participating in the anti-government protests on July 11, 2021. During her time in prison, she reported physical and verbal abuse, as well as the denial of her gender identity.
What were the conditions of Brenda Díaz's imprisonment?
Brenda Díaz was placed in a men's unit where she suffered physical and verbal abuse. She was never recognized as a trans person, being referred to as "the inmate, the prisoner," and she was denied basic rights such as the use of women's underwear.
What does the liberation of Brenda Díaz represent for the trans community in Cuba?
The release of Brenda Díaz symbolizes a significant advancement in the fight for human rights and visibility of transgender individuals in Cuba. Despite her release, Brenda emphasizes the ongoing discrimination against transgender people on the island and the need for dignified and respectful treatment that recognizes their gender identity.
What has been the international response to the imprisonment of Brenda Díaz?
International organizations such as Human Rights Watch and the United States Department of State condemned Brenda's imprisonment, considering it a political reprisal and an act of discrimination due to her gender identity. There was an intense international pressure campaign that contributed to her release.
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