[Marxism] Cuban church protests gov't support for gay rights

["Fred Feldman" <ffeldman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Cuban church protests support for gay rights 
2 hours ago 

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gbyA5ykfr5l1fOWDHLZmFSA8zCawD91GPIGG0
 

HAVANA (AP) - Cuba's Roman Catholic Church on Tuesday protested the
communist government's growing support of gay rights, including a daylong
event raising awareness against homophobia and a law allowing sex-change
operations. 

"Respect for the homosexual person, yes," said an editorial in Palabra
Nueva, the monthly magazine of the Archdiocese of Havana. "Promotion of
homosexuality, no." 

The editorial signed by magazine director Orlando Marquez referred to
activities held May 17 by Cuba's Sex Education Center, which is directed by
Mariela Castro, daughter of President Raul Castro. 

The center also announced this month that the health ministry has approved a
law authorizing government-paid sex changes for 28 people who have undergone
extensive study after requesting the surgery. 

Prejudice against homosexuals remains deeply rooted in Cuban society, as in
much of Latin America. But the government has steadily moved away from the
intolerance of the 1960s and 1970s, when homosexuals hid their sexuality for
fear of being fired from work or even imprisoned. 

Cuba's parliament also is studying proposals to give gay couples the same
benefits as married couples.



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