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The National Center for Sex Education (Cenesex) enthusiastically announced this Wednesday the return of the Cuban Conga against Homophobia and Transphobia, one of the most significant events in the fight for LGBTIQ+ rights in Cuba.
According to the institution's announcement on its official page on Facebook, the conga will take place next Saturday, starting at 6:00 p.m. from Calzada and Paseo, next to the Cohiba Hotel, and will conclude at Calle 12, in front of Club 500, in the heart of Vedado.
The call invites the public to join this space of visibility, diversity, and celebration, which is part of the Cuban Days Against Homophobia and Transphobia, organized annually by Cenesex.
With a festive and community-oriented tone, the institution encouraged participation under the slogan: “Get ready and join the Cuban Conga against Homophobia and Transphobia!”, accompanied by hashtags such as #Cenesex, #AllRightsForAllPeople, and #ForAllFamiliesLoveIsLaw, used on social media to amplify the campaign.
Although presented as a space for popular expression, music, and the advocacy of rights, the conga organized by Cenesex has been criticized by certain sectors as an activity aligned with the Cuban regime.
Although the vast majority of comments on social media expressed support for the conga event, there were also critical voices.
User Valdés Yoki Joel Delgado questioned the name of the event by writing: “They still continue to call it Conga, and as a suffix against homophobia and transphobia... when are they going to admit that it is Gay Pride Day? I know, never, because despite the supposed openness in the eyes of the international community with the legalization of marriage, there are still many remnants of machismo and intolerance towards this LGBT community.”
In previous editions, it has even featured the participation of official figures such as Lis Cuesta, the wife of ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel. Nonetheless, for many LGBTIQ+ individuals, it remains an opportunity for public visibility in an environment with limited guarantees of freedom of expression.
In the 2023 edition, the director of CENESEX, Mariela Castro Espín, and Lis Cuesta Peraza, led the conga against homophobia in Havana, during an event that was part of the official celebrations promoted by the regime.
The event also featured the presence of authorities from the Communist Party of Cuba, officials from the capital's government, and representatives from the Ministry of Public Health, which, according to critical sectors, highlights the contradiction that those who historically repressed the LGBTIQ+ community on the island are now appearing as promoters of inclusive spaces, without any real reparations having been made for past abuses.
In contrast, in 2019 the official response to a peaceful demonstration independently organized by the LGBTI+ community was entirely different.
That year, activists called for an alternative march following the cancellation of the official conga, and the State Security and Cuban police responded with arbitrary arrests and the use of force against those who tried to walk along the Paseo del Prado in Havana.
Images of the violent arrests circulated widely on social media and drew international condemnation. Among those detained was the biologist Ariel Ruiz Urquiola, who was beaten and subdued by agents of the political police, an incident that highlighted the systematic repression against autonomous expressions of dissent, even on issues related to human rights and diversity.
In 2022, the conga was suspended as a sign of respect for the families of the victims of the explosion at the Saratoga hotel. In that context, all festive activities planned as part of the Cuban Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia were canceled, including the “Conga for Diversity,” which was scheduled to take place a few days later.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cuban Conga Against Homophobia and Transphobia and the Social Context in Cuba
What is the Cuban Conga Against Homophobia and Transphobia?
The Cuban Conga Against Homophobia and Transphobia is an event organized by Cenesex that aims to raise awareness and advocate for the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community in Cuba. It takes place as part of the Cuban Days Against Homophobia and Transphobia.
Why is there criticism regarding the Conga organized by Cenesex?
Despite its presentation as an inclusive event, the Conga has been pointed out by critical sectors as an event aligned with the Cuban regime. This is due to the presence of official figures and the perception that there has not been a true reckoning for past abuses against the LGBTIQ+ community on the island.
How is the conga related to other cultural events in Cuba?
The conga is part of a series of events organized by the Cuban government aimed at projecting an image of normalcy and joy amidst the economic crisis. These events, like the simultaneous casino wheel, are seen as strategies by the authorities to divert attention from the social discontent and the shortages faced by the Cuban population.
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