Cuba Approves Referendum to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

Good news for LGBTQ+ folx in Cuba! Although opposition to the national referendum was unusually strong in the country, Cubans have approved a “family law” code that would allow same-sex couples to marry and adopt children, according to NBC News.

What you may not know is that Mariela Castro – director of the National Center for Sex Education, daughter of former President Raul Castro, and niece of his brother Fidel – supports rights for same-sex couples. 

And it looks like her efforts have been met with a victory for LGBTQ+ Cubans. The measure was approved by 67% to 33% even though the President of the National Council, Alina Balseiro Guiterrez, told the news media that returns from a few places remain to be counted. 

The government ran an extensive campaign in support of the law, and not surprisingly, evangelical groups showed strong opposition to it even though it also allows surrogate pregnancies, broader rights for grandparents regarding grandchildren, protection of the elderly, and a measure against gender violence. 

The historic vote comes after LGBTQ+ people faced decades of discrimination on the communist-run island. Though homosexuality has been legal in Cuba since 1979, many queer folx said they still faced open discrimination.