Sex-changes in Cuba will be no-cost, like all health care
Published Feb 22, 2007 10:19 PM
Cuba’s National Assembly of Popular Power has agreed to discuss
making sex-reassignment surgery free of cost to all “transexuales”
on the island who request it.
The entire public health care system in Cuba is free of charge.
Mariela Castro Espín, director of the National Center of Sexual Education
(CENESEX), has led the move to make sex-reassignment available to Cubans free
to all who seek it. Mariela Castro, a leader in her own right, is the daughter
of renowned revolutionary leader Vilma Espín and acting Cuban President
Raúl Castro.
The newsletter Diversidad (Diversity) reported: “The measure would
complement the present Identity Law that already acknowledges the right of
citizens to change name and sexual identity. This places Cuba at the vanguard
of the legislations that acknowledge the rights of transvestites, transsexuals
and transgender in Latin America.”
It places Cuba at the vanguard of legislations in North America, as well.
Sex-reassignment is priced out of reach for many transsexual men and women in
the U.S. And health care in general is a pricey privilege denied tens of
millions in the heartland of imperialism.
The publication reported that Cuba’s parliament will also discuss
legislative recognition of same-sex unions.
For an in-depth historical materialist look at the trajectory of the Cuban
Revolution since 1959 on same-sex love and gender variance, read the Lavender
& Red series at: www.workers.org. Look for the lavender and red logo.
—Leslie Feinberg
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