Connect with us

News

Nuevo programa de radio estadounidense enfoca en temas LGBT en Cuba

Joe Cardona es presentador de ‘Arcoíris’ en Radio Martí

Published

on

Joe Cardona es el presentador de “Arcoíris,” un nuevo programa en Radio Martí con un enfoque en los temas LGBT en Cuba. (Foto cortesía de Joe Cardona)

Una estación de radio del gobierno estadounidense que transmite a Cuba ha lanzado un programa con un enfoque en los temas LGBT en la isla comunista.

“Arcoíris” se transmitó por primera vez en Radio Martí el 28 de julio.

El programa se transmite cada sábado y domingo entre las 4-5 pm. Joe Cardona, un cineasta cubanoamericano y aliado que dirigió “The Day It Snowed in Miami,” un documental sobre la campaña de Anita Bryant en contra de la ordenanza de derechos gay del Condado Dade en 1977, presenta “Arcoíris.”

Nelson Gandulla Díaz, fundador de la Fundación Cubana por los Derechos LGBTI, un grupo LGBT independiente, apareció en “Arcoíris” el 25 de agosto. Gandulla, un fuerte crítico de Mariela Castro, la hija del expresidente cubano Raúl Castro que promueve los temas LGBT en Cuba como directora del Centro Nacional de Educación Sexual (CENESEX), habló con Cardona desde España donde ha pedido asilo.

“Arcoíris” el 1 de septiembre enfocó las experiencias de prisioneros gay en Cuba. Ignacio Estrada Cepero, fundador de la Liga Cubana contra la SIDA que ahora vive en Miami con su esposa, Wendy Iriepa Díaz, una mujer trans que una vez trabajó para CENESEX, también ha aparecido en el programa.

La familia de Cardona es originaria de La Habana y la Provincia de Matanzas. El dijo al Washington Blade el pasado mes durante una entrevista telefónica desde Miami que su programa “todo es de llevar los temas LGBT al público en Cuba.”

Activistas LGBT cubanoamericanos en el sur de Florida han aplaudido el programa.

“Arcoíris” es una ventaja importante al mundo alrededor para la comunidad LGBTQ cubana,” dijo Tony Lima, director ejecutivo de SAVE, en un comunicado de prensa de Radio Martí.

Presentador del programa ‘mira más allá’ de Mariela Castro

“Arcoíris” debutó casi tres meses después del presidente cubano Miguel Díaz-Canel tomó posesión del cargo. También empezó transmitirse contra el contexto del debate sobre la nueva constitución del país con una enmienda que extendería los derechos matrimoniales a parejas del mismo sexo.

Se están realizando ahora una serie de consultas públicas que permiten al público de comentar sobre la nueva constitución. Se espera que la Asamblea Nacional a finales de este año la finalice antes de un referéndum en febrero de 2019.

El debate, que incluye oposición pública de iglesias evangélicas, se está realizando menos de 60 años después del encarcelamiento de hombres gay en campos de trabajo — las UMAPs — después de la revolución cubana que llevó al poder Fidel Castro, el tío de Mariela Castro.

Partidarios de Mariela Castro, entre otras cosas, notan que Cuba ahora ofrece cirugías de reasignación de sexo gratuitas por su sistema nacional de salud. Gandulla y otros activistas LGBT independientes en Cuba dicen que confrontan el maltrato e incluso a la detención si critican públicamente a Mariela Castro, que es parlamentaria, o el gobierno cubano.

“Casi miro más allá de Mariela Castro,” Cardona dijo al Blade. “Miro a CENESEX como otro apparatchik del gobierno.”

El Mejunje es un centro cultural LGBT en Santa Clara, Cuba. Se realizó una marcha para conmemorar el Día Internacional contra la Homofobia, la Transfobia y la Bifobia en la ciudad el 15 de mayo de 2018. (Foto del Washington Blade por Michael K. Lavers)

Gobierno cubano es fuerte crítico de Radio Martí

Radio Martí empezo de transmitir a Cuba en 1985.

La Oficina de Transmisiones a Cuba en Miami, que es parte de la Agencia de Información Internacional de EEUU, funde Radio Martí y Televisión Martí. Los dos Martí tienen un presupuesto combinado de $28.1 millón.

El gobierno cubano ha criticado fuertemente Radio Martí y Televisión Martí.

El Miami New Times el pasado mes reportó que menos de 10 por ciento de cubanos escuchan a transmisiones de Radio Martí y menos de un por ciento de cubanos miran programas de Televisión Martí, en parte, porque el gobierno cubano ha podido bloquearlos para que no lleguen a la isla. Los críticos continúan instando al gobierno federal a que disminuya su financiamiento de Radio Martí y Televisión Martí.

Un acuerdo de 2014 entre el gobierno cubano y la administración de Obama para normalizar las relaciones diplomáticas entre La Habana y Washington incluyó acceso ampliado al internet en Cuba.

El presidente Trump el año pasado reimpuso restricciones de viaje y comercio con Cuba, aunque su empresa y varios de sus asociados han violado el bloqueo estadounidense contra la isla comunista. Acceso al internet en Cuba sigue limitado y costoso, aunque ahora hay más de 700 hotspots de WiFi públicos por todo el país y un programa piloto de la empresa estatal de telecomunicaciones de Cuba permite a los cubanos de tener conexiones de internet en sus hogares.

“No soy el tipo que prohíbe a nadie viajar allí,” Cardona dijo al Blade el viernes desde Miami. “Obviamente lo aliento, pero le digo a la gente, ve allí con los ojos abiertos.”

Advertisement
FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM
SIGN UP FOR E-BLAST

District of Columbia

D.C. Black Pride 2025: Events, parties, and empowerment

Annual Black LGBTQ culture, community, and resilience celebration starts Wednesday

Published

on

(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Beginning on Wednesday, Washington will host a weekend-long celebration of melanated LGBTQ talent, power, and resilience with the return of D.C. Black Pride. From glamorous balls and dance parties to drag performances and more, the weekend offers something for everyone looking to celebrate Black queer existence.

The Washington Blade sat down with Keyna Hutton, president and CEO of the Center for Black Equity and organizer of D.C. Black Pride, to discuss the event’s current significance and the programming they are most excited about.

While the weekend may appear to be all about parties and celebration, Hutton emphasized that the heart of D.C. Black Pride lies in the connections it fosters.

“I always try to remind people that Black Pride is a safe space for communities, for people that don’t have these kinds of safe spaces where they live,” Hutton said. “People that live in some rural parts of the country, some very conservative spaces, they don’t have a space to be Black and queer. Many don’t have a space that they are able to be their full authentic selves. So Black Pride is that space. D.C. Black Pride creates that space for folks to be able to come to and just be free and live at all your intersections, to be glorified and be appreciated for who you are, as diverse as you are.”

They continued, pointing to the importance of this year’s theme — freedom — especially amid a political climate that remains hostile toward marginalized groups, particularly the transgender community.

“The real root of D.C. Black Pride is about creating a safe space and supporting community,” Hutton said. “If you think about what’s going on right now politically, it is even more important for us to maintain these spaces.”

Despite the external pressures facing the Black LGBTQ community, Hutton made clear that the weekend is also about celebration, especially for those traveling from near and far to be part of it.

“I am very excited for the Mr. & Miss D.C. Black Pride Pageant,” she said. “We have Ts Madison, Monroe Alise, Kerri Colby, Ben Garson, Anthony Oakes, Heather Mahogany, Apple Brown Betty. We have so many Black queer folks and queer allied people that are going to be here taking up space with us, loving up on us, entertaining us, all for free!”

For the first time this year, a free shuttle will run between the Capitol Hilton and official D.C. Black Pride events all weekend long, making it easier than ever to join in the celebration.

D.C. Black Pride party roundup

Weekend-long parties
Supreme Fantasy Weekend Party
All weekend long, the D.C. Black Pride party Supreme Fantasy will be in full swing beginning on May 22. With 12 events across five days, there’s something for everyone! From drinking and dancing to drag and so much more, this five-day celebration will keep the D.C. Black Pride party pumping through May 26. Tickets and additional information for this 21+ event are available at xavierpartydc.com.

Bliss Party Lineup
Celebrate being a Black LGBTQ woman with the Bliss party lineup! From brunches to dance parties to panels, Bliss has something for everyone. For tickets and additional information for this 21+ party series, visit eventbee.com.

Wednesday, May 21
Cocktails & Conversations
Join hundreds of Black queer women as they kick off D.C. Black Pride with a cocktail reception. Grab a drink and settle in at one of Washington’s swankiest cocktail bars, ZOOZ (636 Maine Ave. S.W.), at 7 p.m., and mingle before the weekend gets going. This is a 21+ event. For tickets and more information, visit BlissPride.com.

Thursday, May 22
Welcome to D.C. Happy Hour
Celebrate the beginning of D.C. Black Pride with drinks in the heart of the Dupont gayborhood! From 5-10 p.m. on the rooftop of Decades (1219 Connecticut Ave. N.W.), take in the spring weather and mix with other Black queer folks. For tickets and more information about this 21+ event, visit BlissPride.com.

Mr. & Miss D.C. Black Pride Pageant
Get ready for the ultimate showcase of Black excellence and pride with the Mr. & Miss D.C. Black Pride Pageant! The competition begins at 6 p.m. at the Capital Hilton (1001 16th St. N.W.), celebrating the history, beauty, and diversity of the DMV’s Black drag and entertainment scene. For tickets, visit Eventbrite.

D.C. Black Pride Unity Free Ball
Join the Capitol Ballroom Council for their 9th annual Unity Free Ball at the Capital Hilton (1001 16th St. N.W.). From 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., show off how you embody this year’s theme of “Freedom.” With over 50 categories, there’s something for everyone. Hosts Icon East Coast Father Duante’ Balenciaga, Legendary East Coast Mother Daijah West, Legendary Domo Alpha Omega, and Empress Angel Rose Garcon will ensure the night is unforgettable. For categories, prizes, and free tickets, visit dcblackpride.org.

The Pre-Pregame Act I
Pregame D.C. Black Pride with Daryl Wilson at The Ugly Mug (723 8th St. S.E.). Expect food, drinks, hookah, and more starting at 10 p.m. For tickets, visit dcblackpride.org.

Friday, May 23
Shoot Your Shot & Drink
Date. Dance. Collaborate! Join Lamont White and Tyrice Johnson for a special in-person LGBTQ+ dating experience at North Gate Grill (1001 16th St. N.W.). Tickets available at dcblackpride.org.

D.C. Black Pride Opening Reception
Kick off the 34th annual D.C. Black Pride with award-winning comedian Anthony Oakes as he hosts an evening of music, drag, and more. Queer icons including Ts Madison, Kerri Colby, and Monroe Alise will be in attendance. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. at the Capital Hilton (1001 16th St. N.W.). Free tickets are available at dcblackpride.org.

Host Hotel Welcome Reception
Start the weekend with a party hosted by Daryl Wilson Events at the Capital Hilton, the official host hotel. Beginning at 3 p.m., guests can pick up VIP passes, connect with other attendees, and get into the Pride spirit. More info at dcblackpride.org.

The Pastel Party
Celebrate Black queer womanhood at the Pastel Party at STRAND Nightclub (1400 I St. N.W.). Beginning at 10 p.m., this event offers a vibrant, affirming space. For tickets to this 21+ event, visit BlissPride.com.

Saturday, May 24
D.C. Black Pride Writers Forum
Join Black LGBTQ writers from across the country for a discussion on storytelling, publishing, and politics. Special guests, including Volo Akili (Dear Universe), will be featured. The event begins at 1 p.m. at the Capital Hilton. More info at dcblackpride.org.

Mary Bowman Poetry Slam
Celebrate Black queer voices at the Mary Bowman Poetry Slam at the Capital Hilton. Open mic registration starts at 5:30 p.m., with the show beginning at 6 p.m. Cash prizes will be awarded. More info at dcblackpride.org.

PURE BLISS – The Main Event
Dance the night away with other Black queer women at PURE BLISS, starting at 10 p.m. at Next Level (15 K St. N.E.). Enjoy music, drinks, and community. Tickets are $25 at BlissPride.com.

D.C. Black Pride White Party
Put on your best white outfit and party with the Black queer community at the iconic White Party. Rapper KHIA performs live at Echostage (2135 Queens Chapel Road N.E.), starting at 10 p.m. Tickets available at dcblackpride.org.

Meatloaf Saturday
Join over 5,000 Black queer men across three dance floors with four DJs, go-go dancers, and live performances. Meatloaf Saturday kicks off at 10 p.m. at Public Nightclub (1214 18th St. N.W.). Tickets at dcblackpride.org.

Sunday, May 25
Euphoria: D.C. Black Pride 2025 Closeout – The Finale
Close out Pride weekend with one last rooftop party at Twelve After Twelve (1212 18th St. N.W.) from 4-10 p.m. Celebrate with drinks, dancing, and community in Dupont Circle. Tickets are $15 at dcblackpride.org.

Wet Dreamz Mega Day Party
Join hundreds of Black LGBTQ people at one of the biggest events of the weekend — Wet Dreamz Mega Day Party — at The Bullpen @ Nats Stadium (1201 Half St. N.E.), starting at 5 p.m. Hosted by Daryl Wilson Events. Tickets available at dcblackpride.org.

Sunday Night Super Party
Four floors. Multiple DJs. One unforgettable night. Daryl Wilson’s Sunday Super Party at The Park (920 14th St. N.W.) begins at 10 p.m. and keeps going late. This 21+ event is free to attend. Details at dcblackpride.org.

Tuesday, May 27
WorldPride Black Queer Film Festival
Celebrate the art and impact of Black queer filmmakers with D.C. Black Pride and WorldPride at the three-day Black Queer Film Festival, kicking off at 6 p.m. at Howard University’s Blackburn Digital Auditorium (2397 6th St. N.W.). Free tickets available at dcblackpride.org.

In addition to these events, Thurst Lounge (2214 14th St. N.W.) — D.C.’s only Black-owned LGBTQ lounge — will host nightly celebrations of Black queer excellence. The weeklong celebration, Thurstnik Reloaded, runs from Wednesday through Memorial Day Monday. No cover charge, but a 21+ ID is required.

Continue Reading

Cuba

Cuban lawmakers to consider simplifying process for trans people to change IDs

National Assembly in July will reportedly debate proposal

Published

on

A transgender Pride flag flies over Mi Cayito, a beach east of Havana. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

Cuban lawmakers are reportedly poised to consider a proposal that would allow transgender people to legally change the gender marker on their ID documents without surgery.

Cubadebate, a government-run website, on May 11 referenced the proposal in an article about an International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia march in Havana that the National Center for Sexual Education organized.

Mariela Castro, the daughter of former Cuban President Raúl Castro who spearheads LGBTQ issues on the island, is CENESEX’s director.

Cubadebate notes the National Assembly in July will consider an amendment to the country’s Civil Registry Law that “for the first time would allow citizens to determine the sex on their identification cards without the need for a court order or gender assignment surgery.”

Argentina, Uruguay, Germany, and Malta are among the countries that allow trans people to legally change their name and gender without surgery.

Cuba’s national health care system has offered free sex-reassignment surgery since 2008, but activists who are critical of Mariela Castro and CENESEX have said access to these procedures is limited. Mariela Castro, who is also a member of the National Assembly, in 2013 voted against a measure to add sexual orientation to Cuba’s labor code because it did not include gender identity.

The Cuban constitution bans discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, among other factors. Authorities routinely harass and detain activists who publicly criticize the government.

Continue Reading

Maryland

Wes Moore signs HIV decriminalization bill

Md. law named after Carlton Smith

Published

on

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee. A bill that he signed on May 20, 2025, will decriminalize HIV in Maryland. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on Tuesday signed a bill that decriminalizes HIV in the state.

State Dels. Kris Fair (D-Frederick County) and Luke Clippinger (D-Baltimore City) are among the lawmakers who sponsored House Bill 39 or the Carlton R. Smith Act, which is named after the long-time activist known as the “mayor” of Baltimore’s Mount Vernon neighborhood who died in May 2024.

Smith was a member of the Coalition to Decriminalize HIV in Maryland that advocated for the bill. FreeState Justice, a statewide LGBTQ rights group, was also part of the coalition.

“At FreeState Justice, we are proud to stand with advocates, health experts, and lawmakers who worked diligently to advance this bill. The bipartisan support for the Carlton R. Smith Act is a testament to the power of education, research, and courageous leadership,” said FreeState Justice Executive Director Phillip Westry in a statement. “It sends a clear message: Maryland is committed to evidence-based policymaking and to ending the criminalization of people living with HIV. We honor the memory of Carlton R. Smith by continuing the work of building a more just, inclusive, and informed society.”

Maryland is the fifth state to decriminalize HIV.

North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong, a Republican, in March signed a bill that decriminalized HIV in his state.

Continue Reading

Popular