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Here is a stunning interview with Mariela Castro, from the Spanish<br>
newspaper LA VANGUARDIA. Special thanks to Sue Greene for the quick<br>
translation from the original Spanish.<br><br>
=========================================================================<br>
<br>
Interview with Mariela Castro<br>
"Cubans' right to leave the country should not be denied"<br>
Fernando Garcia | Havana. Correspondent | 10/05/2008 | Updated at 03:31
pm<br><br>
<a href="http://www.walterlippmann.com/docs1938.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.walterlippmann.com/docs1938.html<br>
</a>A CubaNews translation by Sue Greene. Edited by Walter
Lippmann.<br><br>
ORIGINAL:<br>
<a href="http://www.lavanguardia.es/lv24h/20080510/53462379933.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.lavanguardia.es/lv24h/20080510/53462379933.html<br><br>
</a>Mariela Castro Espín, daughter of President Raúl and director of
the<br>
National Center for Sex Education (Cenesex), is the greatest advocate
of<br>
critical awareness and renovation from within the system in Cuba.
Her<br>
proposals and viewpoints demonstrate it.<br><br>
Last June, you presented a revolutionary proposal in favour of the<br>
recognition of the rights of gay couples and of sex change in Cuba. What
is<br>
it's status?<br><br>
The proposal is centered on a reform of the Cuban Family Code, with
the<br>
introduction of articles on sexual orientation and gender identity.
They<br>
consider not only attention to transsexuals, in fact already existing
since<br>
1979, but gay rights, which is an area that has barely advanced. A year
ago<br>
we took the initiative to the Parliament through institutions with
the<br>
jurisdiction to do so. There was a very interesting dialogue with
prospects<br>
to debate and approve it when it is appropriate. But during the process
we<br>
learned better ways to obtain our objectives. And we decided to present
to<br>
the leadership of the Communist Party a project with an educational<br>
strategy, with the support of the mass media, to circulate the changes
we<br>
want to introduce into the Family Code. The goal is for society to<br>
understand the benefits that those changes have for the family. The
Party<br>
will help us organize this work of sensitization. Its endorsement is
very<br>
important in order to convince the deputies and the Cuban population,
in<br>
general.<br><br>
When do you believe that a Cuban transsexual will be able to get an<br>
operation under the law and a homosexual couple will have the same
marriage<br>
rights? Will they be able to adopt?<br><br>
We have discovered that there was nothing in the law that prevents doing
and<br>
covering those sex change operations. It only lacks legal
implementation<br>
through a resolution from the Ministry of Public Health supporting
the<br>
functions and objectives of the National Commission for Comprehensive
Care<br>
of Transsexuals. This Commission will be authorized to issue a
certificate<br>
permitting the corresponding changes in identity documents of these
people<br>
without going through gender reassignment surgery. As for the couples,
for<br>
the moment we are going to avoid complications and rejections: instead
of<br>
approving homosexual marriage, which also would require changing the<br>
Constitution, we will create a Legal Union formula, which is only
for<br>
same-sex couples and will recognize the same rights as those in
marriage,<br>
except for adoption. Not only because it generates lots of resistance
but<br>
because homosexual couples who collaborate with Cenesex have advised us
not<br>
to complicate ourselves with adoptions because here and now, in Cuba,
that<br>
is not their priority. And it is better to be modest in order to
advance<br>
more firmly on what interests them.<br><br>
How has the CP and its old guard received what is proposed? In the<br>
international press it was all a shock.<br><br>
Dialogue with the Party has been the best thing. In fact, the
permanent<br>
dialogue of Cuban society with the CP is in the basic documents of
this<br>
political organization. Recently, they organized a meeting with the<br>
directors of the most important media organizations of the country
to<br>
explain the work of Cenesex as the coordinator of the National
Sexual<br>
Education Program and the importance of holding the World Day
Against<br>
Homophobia. In these years I have gone only to the international press
which<br>
has been interested in our work: to the Cuban press I did not want to
say<br>
anything yet because I was afraid of mishandling an inopportune
moment.<br>
Because of the importance we attach to the reaction which may occur in
our<br>
country, we have worked with the CP for an educational strategy,
which<br>
materialized in a mass media plan. With regard to the Cuban World
Day<br>
Against Homophobia, already we have begun to publish the first
journalistic<br>
works, which will continue periodically throughout the year. As for<br>
reactions, there will be everything. There is resistance, but also
learning<br>
among the old and young alike.<br><br>
Is Cuba an especially macho society?<br><br>
All societies are patriarchal ..... Macho. The other thing is that
in<br>
developed countries everything is more hidden because the language is
more<br>
sophisticated and "politically correct". Because everything is
better<br>
examined in order to cover up and even to lie. If not, how do you
justify<br>
the gender-based violence that we know exists? I believe that Cuban
machismo<br>
is less violent than that in Europe, thanks to a Revolution which<br>
established policies for women's rights since the 60's. Men have had
to<br>
become more humble and yield space. Anyway, I want to emphasize the
progress<br>
achieved in Spain, where they speak openly about gender violence. In
other<br>
European countries there is the same thing but it is kept quiet.<br><br>
Here too.<br><br>
Yes, we should talk more about this matter. We are fighting for it.
But,<br>
although there is violence, predominately of the verbal type; the
physical<br>
type is much less. Among other things, the community and
neighborhood<br>
structures react quickly and restrain those situations. These are
the<br>
conclusions of scientific studies carried out in Cuba. They are not
my<br>
assumptions.<br><br>
There are many other areas, that have been identified, that require
reforms<br>
in Cuba. In your view, what changes should be a priority?<br><br>
For me, the key is to develop mechanisms for participation. That
determines<br>
and identifies which changes must be made and how. The first thing is
that<br>
everything has a logical direction. Because sometimes I feel that there
are<br>
absurd mechanisms that seem to be changing. The most important thing is
not<br>
to lose sight of the principle objective of socialism: the emancipation
of<br>
human beings; their well-being with fairness and social justice, and
that<br>
whatever is done satisfies the growing needs of human beings. It is not
that<br>
now we want to construct a consumer society, which is the antithesis<br>
socialism, but that they produce the goods and services that people need.
I<br>
also have faith in human betterment, which is why I betting on
socialism.<br>
Now, I would like there to be fewer prohibitions, as my father said.
Less<br>
bureaucracy would allow us to generate better levels of satisfaction.
And<br>
insofar as we develop better mechanisms for participation, the same
society<br>
is the one that proposes and decides. This was done in the
discussion<br>
process after my father's speech on July 26: people criticized, analyzed
and<br>
proposed. This has stayed a permanent mechanism for participation,
which<br>
seems to me very good, but should not be the only way to do it.<br><br>
Although the CP now governs alone, does it not have to make room for
other<br>
political options?<br><br>
This matter has been discussed among everybody. Looking<br>
at the history of Cuba, a country besieged by one so powerful as the
North<br>
Americans...., that condition has not changed from the time of José
Martí<br>
until today. Therefore it continues to overpower Martí's thoughts with
a<br>
unique force. Then there was the Cuban Revolutionary Party, which
Martí<br>
founded, when Cuban unity was finally accomplished. Thanks to that,<br>
independence was achieved. Lack of unity was one of the obstacles
which<br>
prevented us from advancing. Cuba was the last country to gain
independence<br>
from Spain on this continent. Martí succeeded, with all his genius,
uniting<br>
all Cubans in that party of revolutionary unity and in establishing a
common<br>
strategy. Fidel reclaimed Martí's idea.<br><br>
And when that siege from the United States disappears?<br><br>
Probably things will change.<br><br>
Would we then have to create parties and hold multi-party
elections?<br><br>
I do not know what Cubans will decide when that happens. I can not
imagine<br>
it. I am sure that if there is participation, Cubans will determine what
is<br>
best. For now, the CP has to be a party of participation, as conceived
by<br>
Martí , a broad party where all Cubans can share our opinions and ideas.
I<br>
think that principle is reclaiming itself. But there was a time when
I<br>
believe that was not so, at some point the Party was very rigid.<br><br>
How long was it or has it been the case?<br><br>
Well, I am not a historian, but I believe a few years. However, I note
that<br>
this is changing and it gives me satisfaction.<br><br>
The discussions in Cuba left criticisms that are being addressed, but
much<br>
remains. People want to travel more freely and be able to buy or sell a
car<br>
or a house without much hindrance. What do you think?<br><br>
I do not know what is being analyzed or what is going to be decided. I
love<br>
that these things will be solved. Actually, people can leave but with
many<br>
difficulties. It is necessary to reduce the absurd obstacles, they seem
to<br>
me appalling. However, I imagine that they are analyzing tons of
things<br>
including why there were those restrictions and how it should be
done<br>
now..... Because all countries have restrictions and rules for
everything,<br>
but they do not have foreign laws that hinder further development of
their<br>
national policies. We have the North American Cuban Adjustment Act,
which<br>
rewards those who go illegally and they do not grant visas to travel to
the<br>
U.S. legally. And this is a very serious matter that should be resolved
with<br>
the support of governments that claim to love democracy. It is difficult
to<br>
find a just measure in the midst of hostilities, but we can not put<br>
limitations on ourselves in addition to those already imposed by enemies
of<br>
the Cuban nation. That everything be analyzed in depth, in order to find
the<br>
best solutions. That we do not deprive people of their right to leave.
For<br>
me, that they give permission to anyone who wants to leave, provided they
do<br>
not owe any debt to society.<br><br>
As for the houses?<br><br>
We should avoid that a person with money can have five houses when
many<br>
people do not have shelter. It is a complex problem that also exists
in<br>
Europe. Perhaps we have to find a formula that provides rights, so
that<br>
citizens can buy one house, but not five.<br><br>
Fidel and Raúl have spoken of the need for a generational change. But in
the<br>
election of the head of the Council of State we have not seen
it.<br><br>
I have the impression that the introduction of young people is to be
done<br>
slowly, which to me seems intelligent. The first will join the
historical<br>
ones, who risked their lives for the revolution and have no other<br>
commitment. That has value. I suppose there will be a process in which
young<br>
people begin making executive decisions while the elders still
designate<br>
strategies. I do not know, I am watching what is happening like
everybody<br>
else.<br><br>
Would you be willing to get more in the political arena?<br><br>
I do not like a political career. I feel freer as well.<br><br>
What did you advise your father lately?<br><br>
Now I see him less because he is busier. And when we see each other, we
try<br>
not to talk about problems because, if we do, we risk losing the
familial<br>
encounter. He is most interested in my opinion on the subject of
sexuality,<br>
in what we are doing. I must admit that he has greatly facilitated
my<br>
contact with the Party, he has helped me. He sometimes plays (laughs).
He<br>
told me: "You have to convince so-and-so or so-and-so. Did you
already<br>
manage to persuade this one? You have to make yourself an ally of this
other<br>
one." He makes jokes, but he is giving me the message that there
is<br>
resistance and we should work carefully.<br><br>
And more generally, does he ask for an opinion?<br><br>
No, because we can discuss and we do not want it. Anyway, I give my
criteria<br>
to his peers. If something bothers me or I do not agree with something,
for<br>
example. So we do not fight.<br><br>
Have you discussed a lot of policies?<br><br>
From childhood, I always asked, questioned, criticized.<br><br>
Does he heed you?<br><br>
If he does, he will not tell me.<br><br>
How do you assess the way the relay of the presidency of the country
was<br>
done and the role that has been reserved for Fidel?<br><br>
Fidel is a leader, more than the head, he is a leader. That is a
difference,<br>
that sometimes is not understood. He has a great moral, historical
authority<br>
and wisdom. He has authority for being a very brave man, because always
he<br>
risked his life, without fear of hurricanes, of the dictator, of spies,
of<br>
any circumstance. Because he always committed himself to improving the
lives<br>
of his people, although sometimes it was difficult because there was
little<br>
bread and much to distribute. For Cubans, he is an historical reference
and<br>
even a cultural and ideological identity. We will always call him
comandante<br>
[commander].<br><br>
Often the differences between the two brothers are emphasized and there
are<br>
some who see resistance from Fidel to the changes driven by
Raúl.<br><br>
I do not know, nor will I ever know. For me it is also a mystery
because<br>
they are very discreet about what they do.<br><br>
In general, it is said that they are different and perhaps
complementary.<br><br>
They are very different personalities, but that of being complementary is
a<br>
cliché. Each one contributes his own self. In my view, Fidel is the one
that<br>
takes care of strategy, the fundamental objectives, the basic
principles<br>
that should not change.... And my father, who has also participated in
that,<br>
cares more attentively to the concrete moments of that strategy; the
gears<br>
of the mechanism. He has a lot of common sense and teamwork. Because
of<br>
that, the Army is considered the best organized Ministry. Common sense
helps<br>
to find practical solutions. Fidel has a more philosophical sense,
although<br>
many times he also demonstrated a great common sense. But Fidel is all
about<br>
the great plays in the political arena. In the moments of confrontation
or<br>
difficulty, seeing him is like seeing a chess master who always will find
a<br>
brilliant move.<br><br>
They say that Raúl is hard, demanding.<br><br>
He is demanding but flexible and very human. He is capable of
forgiving<br>
apparently unforgivable acts.<br><br>
************************************************************************<br>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariela_Castro" eudora="autourl">
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariela_Castro<br><br>
</a><b>Mariela Castro Espín</b> (born
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki//wiki/1962">1962</a> in
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki//wiki/Havana">Havana</a>,
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki//wiki/Cuba">Cuba</a>) is the
director of the
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki//wiki/Cuban_National_Center_for_Sex_Education">
Cuban National Center for Sex Education</a> in
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki//wiki/Havana">Havana</a> and an
activist for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki//wiki/LGBT">LGBT</a>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki//wiki/LGBT_social_movements">
rights</a> in
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki//wiki/Cuba">Cuba</a>.<br><br>
She is the daughter of Cuban president
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki//wiki/Ra%C3%BAl_Castro">Raúl Castro
Ruz</a> and
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki//wiki/Vilma_Esp%C3%ADn">Vilma Espín
Guillois</a>, and the niece of former president
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki//wiki/Fidel_Castro">Fidel
Castro</a>.<br><br>
Her group campaigns for effective
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki//wiki/AIDS">AIDS</a> prevention as
well as acceptance of
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki//wiki/Homosexuality">
homosexuality</a>,
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki//wiki/Bisexuality">bisexuality</a>,
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki//wiki/Transvestism">transvestism</a>
, and
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki//wiki/Transsexualism">
transsexualism</a>. In 2005 she proposed a project to allow transgendered
people to receive
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki//wiki/Sex_reassignment_surgery">sex
reassignment surgery</a> and change their legal gender.<br><br>
Mariela Castro is president of the Cuban Multidisciplinary Centre for the
Study of Sexuality, president of the National Commission for Treatment of
Disturbances of Gender Identity, member of the Direct Action Group for
Preventing, Confronting, and Combatting AIDS, and an executive member of
the World Association for Sexual Health. She is also the director of the
journal
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki//wiki/Sexolog%C3%ADa_y_Sociedad"><i>
Sexología y Sociedad</a></i>.<br><br>
She has published 13 scholarly articles and nine
books.<a href="#cite_note-0"><sup>[1]</a><br><br>
</sup>According to former Castro family confidante
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki//wiki/Norberto_Fuentes">Norberto
Fuentes</a>, Mariela is considered the rebel in the family; "a free
spirit who performed topless in one late 1980s production". She also
reportedly favored
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki//wiki/Perestroika">perestroika</a>
in the 1980s. Mariela is now married to an Italian and has two children
with him, plus a boy from a previous union with a
Chilean.<a href="#cite_note-1"><sup>[2]</a><br><br>
<br><br>
</sup></font><x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
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