|
Cuba’s brand of machismo and the hallowed image of the beret-clad revolutionary who is all man created a notoriously homophobic society. Following the Revolution, homosexuality was denounced by Fidel as “a bourgeois perversion” and maricones were sent to hard labour camps to be “rehabilitated”. The 1980 Mariel exodus was characterized as the flight of criminals, mental patients and homosexuals. Some 125,000 Cubans were aided by their US-based compatriots who took boats over to meet them when restrictions on leaving were lifted by Castro.
In the latter part of the 1980s attitudes changed as Castro sought allies from more liberal regimes. The film, Fresa y Chocolate, stimulated much debate and brought about the end of the quarantine of HIV patients. Although Cuba is still a macho society, there is more tolerance of gay people, and gay travellers will not generally encounter any problems. However, the Cuban Association for Gays and Lesbians, formed in 1994, operated until 1997 when it was finally suppressed by the government. There are no laws against homosexuality and assaults are rare.
Nightlife
There are no state bars and clubs, or gay and lesbian scene, as such, in Havana. In August 1999, the well-known gay disco El Periquito was the scene of a government crackdown, with over 600 gay people fined and threatened with imprisonment.
Entertainment and nightlife now principally centres around private parties. The location of where the action takes place is not so discreetly communicated at 2200 in front of the Yara cinema on La Rampa.
Entertainment can include anything from drag queens to techno rave. Charges are usually in pesos although you may be expected to pay in dollars, usually around US$1.
For an excellent account of Cuban attitudes to homosexuals, see Machos, Maricones and Gays, Cuba and Homosexuality. From the world of film, see Antes que Anochezca and Fresa y Chocolate.
Travel Guides | Havana | Gay and Lesbian Havana
|
 |
 |
|
Flights
Cheap flights to any destination worldwide
click here |
|
Car Rental
Compare prices for worldwide car rental
click here |
|
Hotels
Lowest prices on over 60,000 hotels worldwide
click here |
|
Travel Insurance
Compare Travel Insurance prices
click here |
|
|
 |
|
