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PHOTOS: Snapshots of life in post-referendum Cuba
Voters on Feb. 24 approved a draft constitution without same-sex marriage
HAVANA ā Cuban voters on Feb. 24 overwhelmingly approved the draft of their country’s new constitution.
The draft originally contained an amendment that would have extended marriage rights to same-sex couples, but the issue sparked a rare public debate in Cuba with evangelical groups highlighting their opposition to the issue.
The Cuban government in December announced the amendment had been removed from the draft constitution. Activists who work independently of Mariela Castro, the daughter of former Cuban President RaĆŗl Castro who spearheads LGBTI-specific issues on the Communist island, are among those who sharply criticized the decision.
Cuba’s National Office of Statistics and Education on Feb. 15 released the results of a survey that found 77 percent of respondents said same-sex couples should receive the same rights as heterosexual couples.
Tremenda Nota, the Washington Blade’s media partner in Cuba, subsequently reported Mariela Castro and Luis Ćngel AdĆ”n Roble, a member of the Cuban National Assembly who advocates for LGBTI issues, knew about the survey results before they were released publicly. The Cuban government on the eve of the referendum blocked access to the websites of Tremenda Nota and other independent Cuban media outlets on the island.
The Blade was in Havana and in Villa Clara province from Feb. 28-March 4.
Awesome Con, an annual convention for science fiction, fantasyĀ and comics enthusiasts, was held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on March 8-10. “Pride Alley” on the expo floor served as a gathering place for LGBTQ fans, artists and representatives of community organizations.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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PHOTOS: Drag Me to the Disco
Four ‘RuPaul’ contestants join local performers at Howard Theatre event
District Disco presented “Drag Me to the Disco” at Howard Theatre on Saturday. Performers included Mistress Isabelle Brooks, Jaida Essence Hall, Vanessa Vanjie Matteo and Luxx Noir London of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” as well as local drag performers Crimsyn, Cake Pop!, Crystal Edge and Druex Sidora. Music was provided by DJ Camb and DJ Boyyyish.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Covering Drag Me to the Disco at @HowardTheatre for @WashBlade . @luxxnoirlondon from @RuPaulsDragRace performing: pic.twitter.com/byMTzlnCwm
— Michael Patrick Key (@MichaelKeyWB) March 3, 2024
Covering Drag Me to the Disco at @HowardTheatre for @WashBlade . @VanessaVanjie from @RuPaulsDragRace performing: pic.twitter.com/bMpIY9j1Sn
— Michael Patrick Key (@MichaelKeyWB) March 3, 2024
The Capital Pride Alliance held its annual Pride Reveal party at Penn Social on Feb. 29. “Totally Radical” was announced as this year’s theme for Pride.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Covering @CapitalPrideDC Pride Reveal party. @DCPoliceDept Chief Pamela Smith dances @PennSocialDC . Covering for @WashBlade pic.twitter.com/qnW5p4IUy8
— Michael Patrick Key (@MichaelKeyWB) March 1, 2024
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