Photos
PHOTOS: Snapshots of life in post-referendum Cuba
Voters on Feb. 24 approved a draft constitution without same-sex marriage

HAVANA — 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 Raúl 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 Ángel Adán 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.





















Xunami Muse of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 16 performed at the drag show Shook at Shakers on Saturday, May 10. Other performers included Crystal Edge, Tatianna, Aave Blue, Drew Friday and Jaybella Banks.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)












The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)


















The Cherry Weekend main event party was “Fire” at Betty (1235 W Street, N.E.) on Saturday, April 12. Detox of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” met with fans.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)














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