Photos
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.
The new LGBTQ venue Crush held a party for friends, family and close supporters on Tuesday.Ā For more information on future events at Crush, go to their Instagram page @crushbardc.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
The LGBTQ+ Victory Fund held its annual National Champagne Brunch at the Grand Hyatt on Sunday, April 7. Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) delivered the keynote address.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
The TRANSform the Vote rally was held on the National Mall on March 31 for the International Transgender Day of Visibility. The rally was organized by the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE), Trans USA National Pageantry and the Queer Equity Institute. Speakers included Minneapolis City Council President Andrea Jenkins and actress Angelica Ross.
A gala event was held in the evening at Hook Hall. Blossom: International Trans Day of Visibility Gala in Washington was presented by NCTE and featured speakers, a panel discussion and an all-trans drag showcase.
(Washington Blade photos by Linus Berggren)
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