Sexual diversity: The key is not to tolerate, but accept the difference

By Sara Más

What transsexuals, bisexuals, homosexuals and transvestites in Cuba and elsewhere really need is acceptance. To them, this is more important than any opportunity to express themselves freely or receive healthcare and guidance services.

Such an opinion was shared by many participants in the 4th Cuban Congress on Sex Education, Guidance and Therapy, which was held earlier this month in Havana.

While some progress has been made along these lines, there is still a long way to go, especially in societies where male-chauvinistic attitudes are deeply rooted, they stressed.

"We have fought discrimination against non-heterosexual individuals, but the truth of the matter is that there is marginalization behind certain feelings of ´compassion, complacency and tolerance´" said Omar Parada, local coordinator of the MSM Project in Granma province, 700 kilometers east of Havana. MSM stands for Men Having Sex with Men.

Speaking at a session on free sexual orientation and gender identity, he emphasized how difficult it has been to reach bisexuals. The project seeks to promote HIV/AIDS prevention in this population group.

Comprehensive care for transsexuals at the National Sex Education Center (CENESEX) and inclusive social policies in the country were some of the achievements highlighted by local participants in the event.

"We approached the Center because we could not get a job. Some of us had been forced to hide or become prostitutes. CENESEX specialists have not only provided treatment, but have also helped us take training courses. I became a hair stylist", Olivia, a man-to-woman transsexual, told WNS.

"The attitude of our own families has changed; they now understand us and support us", she added.

The National Working Group on Sex Education diagnosed the first Cuban case of trans-sexuality (a 23-year-old young man) in 1972. This group was later replaced by the National Sex Education Center (CENESEX), recalled its director Mariela Castro.

The National Transsexual Care Commission has so far reviewed 92 cases, including 27 transsexuals, two transvestites and two effeminate gays.

Out of this total, 24 will undergo man-to-woman sex-change operations and two, woman-to-man. Surgery has already been performed on one of them and he is now under follow-up.

The multidisciplinary commission under CENESEX umbrella is made up of specialists in psychology, sociology, law, anthropology, education, social communication and linguistics, as well as in psychiatry, endocrinology, internal medicine, general and plastic surgery, genetics, gynecology, otorhinolaryngology, dermatology, phonology and nursing.

Hernández, who is popularly called La Mamma, believes that the Center-patient relationship is mutually beneficial.

"We focused first on marginalized, unemployed people, and later promoted discussions and debates to raise awareness", he added.

The local office of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security has changed its employment policy and provided training and/or jobs to 80 percent of transsexuals, homosexuals and transvestites under the project.

CENESEX has submitted a bill to Parliament in connection with gender identity and legalized sex change, and has urged the Ministry of Public Health to guarantee transsexual care, including surgery.

There are still many myths and taboos around sexual diversity. They will be overcome only through scientific information and knowledge.

The media can play a key role in disseminating information and promoting experience-sharing and understanding, said Norma Guillard, head of the Sexual Diversity Section at the Cuban Multidisciplinary Society on Sexuality Studies (SOCUMES).

"She favored the idea of dealing with these issues on television. Raising the problems that lesbians are facing today, for example, could provide a means to produce change and free education from sexist prejudices and stereotypes", she added.

Even the scientific community often lacks information, sensibility and courage to make a prejudice-free approach to sexual diversity, Congress participants indicated.

When some professionals speak of human sexuality issues, they seem to fear "contamination", stressed Manuel Lemus, an urologist.

"We have to fight against any type of education that promotes hatred of non-heterosexuals, including homosexuals and transvestites", Mariela Castro noted.

"There is still a lot of work to do at home and at school. These are the most important institutions in any society. We are all important people and we should all be given the same opportunities", she concluded.

It is cold in Havana

By Ilse Bulit

Following a tradition in the last 50 years, cold fronts threaten to hit Cuba in December, but they do not actually get here.

Scientists had warned about climate change and old people in the island had anticipated such an event a long time ago.

The first half of the 20th century had been marked by low temperatures in the winter, which made people use sweaters, coats and even newspapers to cover their backs if they were very poor, and give children cod-liver oil to prevent colds. As to drinks, some used to have steaming chocolate in porcelain cups, some others drank boiling linden or camomile tea in tin jugs, and most of them had hot coffee at night, although it shooed sleep away.

Children went to school wearing newly bought uniforms or ragged clothes, but they all visited the seawall drive hoping to be bathed by the strong waves crashing against it.

Scientific studies managed to predict weather conditions. Primary-education textbooks indicated that there were two distinct seasons in Cuba: summer and winter. Local farmers used to identify them with the dry season (from November through April) and the rainy season (from May through October).

In the late 1950s, however, nature began to "misbehave" and fight back after so much aggression. Political, economic and social changes had a tremendous impact on people's lives. Scout, the cod-liver oil often publicized in magazines and newspapers, was no longer available and mothers tried to find some other medications against colds.

Coffee and chocolate were in poor supply and local youngsters, who were studying in the former Soviet Union introduced tea here. It became popular very soon. As it was inexpensive, it was prepared everywhere, at workplaces and at home cold in summer and hot in winter.

In the 1980s, the so-called El Niño South Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon dramatically changed rainfall patterns and cold front occurrence.

At the time, all children wore school uniforms, but continued visiting the seawall drive to be bathed by the waves.

The 1990s were marked by economic plight. With the disintegration of the Soviet Union, imports dropped and local women made wonders to have children fed and dressed. They did not have time to worry about weather conditions; all that matter was to be able to survive. To top it off, the so-called Storm of the Century hit the country in 1993, when the economic crisis was reaching bottom.

If you are hungry, you get colder. Nearly all aromatic herbs were used to make infusions and deal with low temperatures and inadequate calorie intake.

In the new millennium, long drought periods, heavy rains and storms have prevailed. High temperatures have made electricity bills go up because of intensive use of electric fans and A/C units.

The summer has been much longer than usual in the last few years, and young girls have been able to wear short skirts or dresses on New Year's Eve.

Local weather forecasts indicated that early 2008 would bring a colossal cold wave. Most people in the west, especially in Havana, began to buy more rum than beer to accompany the traditional roast pork feast.

In fact, it has been cold this month. Eight or nine degrees Celsius are icy weather to most people in Cuba.

It has not been as cold as anticipated, however. The cold front reached Florida, but did not move further south. Many Miami Cubans, who have preserved the way of speaking in the island, have told their relatives living on this side of the Strait: "It is hissing out here!"

Religion, bad weather conditions in 2008

By Raquel Sierra

Out of faith or curiosity, many Cubans await the so-called Letter of the Year, which contains the predictions made by Afro-Cuban religion leaders for the next 12 months.

The "babalawos" or Yoruba bishops wrote the Letter, including signs, prophecies, ruling and accompanying orishas, flags, ebbó (witchcraft), proverbs, recommendations, works and pieces of advice. Made public at a liturgy held on December 31, the Letter warns about bad weather conditions in 2008.

According to the Letter's Organizing Committee members, Ifá (Supreme Being) predictions indicate that 2008 will be ruled by Oggún, a god representing war and warriors. Christians associate it with Saint Peter.

Yemayá, the goddess of water, mother of Yoruba religion and Virgin of Regla to Christians, will also be ruling this year.

Víctor Betancourt, one of the Committee members, told media representatives that Iwori Rete has anticipated social changes and natural disasters in 2008.

He added that this sign had not come out in the last 21 years. The present challenge is not political or social, but nature-related.

Political problems can be solved. A nature-related challenge is more difficult to meet because humanity is not properly equipped to face a global catastrophe in a successful manner, he stressed.

The group of 1,000 Ifá bishops who make up the Committee concluded that 2008 will be marked by skin, neurological and nervous-system diseases, and high armed- robbery rates.

The babalawos also anticipated lawless actions by minors, increased domestic and foreign migration flows, family problems due to housing shortage, and right/ function usurpation through violence and deceit.

The Yoruba bishops recommended preventing fires, reviewing child-raising and education methods, recovering moral values, discouraging drug and alcohol consumption, abiding by religious commitments and consolidating marriage on the basis of respect and understanding.

Committee member Lázaro Cuesta emphasized that the Letter provides alternatives and measures to prevent disasters. Intelligence will help overcome obstacles and difficulties, he remarked.

The Committee held the Letter press conference at the House of Culture in Old Havana. "We now have a place for us", he commented.

On the other hand, the Cuban Yoruba Association's Ifá Bishops Council published another Letter that also anticipates bad weather conditions in 2008.

Measures should be adopted to minimize risks and damage caused by encroachments of the sea, the Council recommended.

Igouri Ogbem will be ruling throughout 2008. There will be difficulties, but they will all be surmountable, Council members emphasized.

Growing interest

This divinatory system has been used by the Yoruba people in Nigeria for hundreds of years and was brought to the Americas by African slaves. The African religion is deeply rooted and its traditions are very well preserved in the island.

People told WNS that there was a long line at the entrance to the Cuban Yoruba Association in Havana to get copies of the Letter.

Cuban ethnologist Natalia Bolívar told media representatives that this is a social and cultural phenomenon. "It is something that runs through our blood and we give to the world in anticipation", she added.

"Following the Letter recommendations makes it possible to live a better life", she stressed.

On the other hand, local anthropologist María I. Faguaga indicated that the Letter of the Year has become increasingly popular in Cuba.

Many people, however, do not want to hear about it. " I was not taught to believe in that", said Laura Miranda, a 44-year-old professional.

Laudelina Torres (70) stressed: "We should live our lives the way we want, but we should always try to do the right thing. This will be good for this year and for ever", she concluded.

Sexual diversity, making room for understanding

By Raquel Sierra

Traditionally considered male-chauvinistic and homophobic, the Cuban society is gradually accepting sexual diversity while some legal steps are taken along these lines.

Regarded as the "right" behavior, heterosexuality is making room for other sexual preferences and orientations that are being slowly recognized.

Homosexuals, bisexuals, transsexuals and transvestites are becoming increasingly visible and are already accepted by academicians, university graduates, artists and other sensitized people.

Mayra Rodríguez, a psychologist working at the National Sex Education Center (CENESEX), indicated that there is now greater acceptance of behaviors, identities, orientations and expressions that are different from heterosexuality.

"The government-run Center has played a key role in this connection, right after a Working Group on Sex Education was established in the 1970s to train staff and develop an ethical and humane approach to sexual diversity", she added.

"We realized how necessary it was to raise awareness in the population. This has had a positive impact on social understanding and acceptance", she stressed.

"I am surprised when a man helps me get down from a bus. I never imagined that. I am not sure if they really know who I am or if they just find me pretty", said a man-to-woman transsexual.

"I stayed in the closet for long. As soon as I was given a new identity card and recognized as a woman, I stopped wearing trousers. I use only skirts and dresses", she emphasized. CENESEX has helped local transsexuals undergo sex-change operations.

Rubén de Armas, coordinator of the National Project on Men having Sex with Men (MSM), said that there has been some opening, but there remain fears and taboos.

"We find media representatives willing to make radio and television shows about them, but the idea is not always understood and supported by decision-makers", he added.

Diversity

As there is no public debate over these issues, widespread ignorance prevails. Experts believe that it is imperative to go deeper into them.

"Sexual diversity is not merely a modern theoretical concept; it means accepting, respecting and living together with those who are different", Rodríguez commented.

Specialists had dealt with it many years ago, including Austria's Sigmund Freud, who often used the expression "different sexual behaviors".

"Other experts, who conducted studies recognizing these behaviors and supporting lesbian and gay movement demands, helped develop the concept as it is known today", she remarked.

After having been involved in studies along these lines for 23 years, Rodríguez indicated that heterosexuality is now considered part and parcel of sexual diversity.

Although she does not like the idea of classifying individuals into groups because this somehow evidences discrimination and stigma, she uses the concept to deal with sexual differences.

"There are three different sexual orientations having to do with sexual preference and desire: homosexual (attracted to the same sex), bisexual (to both) and heterosexual (to the opposite sex)", she explained.

"Orientation, like any other sexual category, is built. We are born with a sex, but we build our sexuality throughout life, depending on the way we are educated, the influences we receive and the individual experiences we undergo," she explained.

Transsexuality, one of many gender identity disorders, involves individuals who experience a contradiction between the sex they are born with and psychological sex.

"!A homosexual transvestite is different from a man-to-woman transsexual: The former is biologically and psychologically male, but likes people of the same sex and the latter is biologically male, but feels like a woman" , she noted.

As a sense of belonging makes these individuals adapt body to mind, most of them request sex-change surgery.

"Those who do not dare to take the step are wrongly considered transvestites. The old idea that transsexuals are only those who want to undergo operation is not right, because there are transsexuals who experience this contradiction, but think they are old already, are afraid or want to keep their social status", she explained.

The term transgender was developed to refer to transsexuals not undergoing surgery. The meaning of the term has changed to cover anything beyond social standards and any kind of sexual preference (either transvestism or transsexuality).

In order to confirm whether or not a person over 18 years of age is a transsexual, a National Commission based at CENESEX headquarters conducts two-year studies over the case.

"Appearance alone can not give a person's sexual identity and orientation. Differential diagnosis is extremely complicated", she recalled.

Transsexuals experience many conflicts, concluded Rodríguez in a study entitled Gender identity disorders: Cuba's experience.

They include engaging in short-duration affairs, feeling family and social pressure on them, staying alone for long periods of time, restricting social interaction and renouncing erotic experiences.

Legal matters

Putting an end to the legal vacuum affecting these people is one of CENESEX primary objectives.

Mariela Castro, the Center's director, told WNS that when a person does not appear in law or politics is somehow excluded and left unprotected.

That is why CENESEX has formulated a strategy seeking to provide these individuals with comprehensive care, including healthcare, social integration and respect for their dignity.

The idea is also to raise awareness in social quarters, carry out sensitization projects and give jobs to these people, even before they are operated on.

The strategy was submitted for consideration by the local parliament in late 2006; a draft amendment to the Family Code was presented to the Cuban Communist Party last June; and the Ministry of Public Health prepared a relevant resolution.

If passed, the amendment will establish the same rights, including inheritance and adoption, for heterosexual and homosexual couples.

Castro announced that there has been strong opposition at all levels to the right of adoption due to ignorance and prejudices.

"The public health resolution establishes specialized, comprehensive care for transsexuals," she concluded.

When love dies

By Sara Más

Magdalena Benítez does not know when her marriage moved from sweet love to bitterness. It was "hell" in the last five years, she said.

Benítez is a university graduate living in Havana. "It was really difficult for me to make the decision to divorce and start all over again", she added.

"You get used to everything. One good day you realize that being shouted at or ignored means absolutely the same thing to you," she stressed.

Hers is a common, apparently normal story. She fell passionately in love at 25, married at 28, and had her first son at 29 and the second one at 31.

"I initially thought my mother-in-law was causing all our conflicts. She always wanted to give her opinion and decide on our lives. But we later moved out and began living alone (my husband, my children and me, and the situation did not get better, but worse", she told WNS.

After her eight-hour shift at a shop, she got back home to bathe the children, help them do their homework, prepare dinner and snack and uniforms for the next day, arrange and clean the house, and wash the dishes before going to bed.

"My husband always came back home very late at night because of his work. He gradually feigned ignorance of everything in the house, including myself, I believe. I realized we never talked to each other. I became invisible to him. That is the way I felt", she commented.

"He never hit me or yelled at me. Disdain, silence and ignorance sometimes affect you more. We stopped speaking the same language", she recalled.

Invisible violence cascaded upon Benítez' life and she was almost unaware of it. "Silence can be very deep and vile," Aloyma Ravelo told WNS.

A journalist by training, Ravelo has specialized in sexuality and gender issues. She added that invisible violence stays in a bedroom when a man forces a woman to have sex she does not want to have. "This kind of violence is not accounted for and, in many instances, goes unnoticed", she added.

"Cutting, offensive, crushing silence makes you feel like an insect," she noted.

"Communication problems are increasingly affecting Cuban couples", she commented.

She has a section in Mujeres (Women) magazine to exchange views and serve as a bridge between readers and experts.

Difficult living conditions per se do not generate violence, but they do spark tension, mostly in dysfunctional families. "They never come to agreements because they do not know how to reach them. They shout and offend on a regular basis," she explained.

Under such conditions, men begin hitting wives, and wives defend themselves, scratch and bite, but end up injured and keeping silent. They do not know where to seek help. When they finally break silence, they offend, insult and never forget.

Women's docility and humiliation are best seen in economic violence cases, because it is felt that the one bringing the money home is the boss. Most people act as the saying goes: Don't butt in between husband and wife.

"Most acts of gender violence involve families and/or couples. Women are at a disadvantage because domestic life is socially and legally considered a private matter", said psychologist Lourdes Fernández.

A few days ago, she delivered a lecture on invisible violence at the University of Havana. "Couple relations at home tend to reproduce patriarchal traditions that intensify inequality, asymmetry, dependence and domination", she stressed.

"Any act of violence is a source of conflict and is marked by hatred, envy, competition, aggression and/or confrontation", she added.

"In this context, many couples fail to find the true course and resort to physical/verbal aggression", she emphasized.

"The Federation of Cuban Women's Family Guidance Centers and the offices of district attorneys can help solve these problems, but they are not well publicized", Ravelo indicated.

"As long as the truth about gender violence and injustice is not made of public knowledge, acts of this nature will continue to be considered a simple, trivial domestic matter", she concluded.

The Women's News Service from Latin America and the Caribbean, International News Agency, offers this weekly service. No reproduction without authorization. Any comment o suggestion please contact us: semlac@redsemlac.net