Castro and gays
Castro Admits Blame for Homophobia
Fidel Castro is admitting responsibility for the persecution, in decades past, of queers in Cuba. In an interview with the Mexican publication La Jornada, the former president of the island nation says that in terms of the homophobia of the post revolutionary days, “Si alguien es responsable, soy yo.” Which means: “if someone is responsible, it’s me.”
That persecution included sending gays off to “campos de trabajo militar-agrícola” (military-farming perform camps) for the crime of creature counter-revolutionaries and to “re-educate” them to their role in Cuban life — that is, to be straight.
“Yes, they were moments of a great injustice, a great injustice!” Castro says.
In trying to elucidate why this happened, Castro says that there were “tantos y tan terribles problemas, problemas de vida o muerte” (so many and such terrible problems, problems of animation or death) to dealt with, including the unjust U.S. blockade of the island (which continues to this day), the threat of nuclear war, and the constant assassination attempts engineered by the CIA.
“It’s certain that in those moments, I couldn’t be worried about that issue, I found my
Historical Essay
by Chris Carlsson, 1995
Castro Street Unbiased, 1978
Castro Street Scene 1970s
Photos: Crawford Barton, Gay and Woman loving woman Historical Society of Northern California
Many across the Together States consider San Francisco to be a “Gay Mecca” due to its large gay group located primarily in the Castro District as well as the city’s relatively liberal attitude towards sex. Until the 1960’s, though, the Castro was largely a white productive class Irish neighborhood known as “Eureka Valley.” A change came during Earth War II, when many soldiers came to San Francisco and formed same-sex attracted relationships. These soldiers then stayed in the city after being discharged for homosexuality. In the 1950s, Beat Society erupted in San Francisco and notoriously rebelled against middle class values, thus aligning itself with homosexuality and helped bring gay customs to mainstream attention. In the mid to late 1950s, groups such as the Daughters of Bilitis and the Mattachine Society were born, as adv as the Tavern Guild, which was the first openly gay business association. By 1969, there were 50 queer organizations in San Francisco, and by 1973 there were 800. Unfortunately, In Cuba, a government-backed LGBT rights movement battles against a culture of machismoHAVANA, Cuba – Hector said he was already in love with his partner of 16 days. A government worker in his preliminary 20s, Hector also says he feels comfortable letting his friends know that he is gay. Fancy many Cubans, he believes that the situation for the LGBT community has progressed rapidly in recent years. But things are not perfect. He is still concerned that some may react negatively if he and his boyfriend reveal affection in the main square of their town of Matanzas, about 60 miles east of Havana along the coast. “If I know we’re alone or aren’t being watched I feel comfortable, but we have to be careful,” said Hector, who asked his last name not be published. Cuba, where queer men were once punished, harassed and sent to labor camps, has turn into a leader in LGBT rights in the Caribbean. The government’s change in policy and acceptance of the community is due in large part to the work of Mariela Castro, Raúl Castro’s daughter, and the late Fidel Castro’s niece. Historically, the movement for LGBT rights has struggled against the cultural image of machismo and the politics of the commun Vibrant and eclectic, the Castro/Upper Market neighborhood is an internationally famous symbol of gay freedom, a top tourist destination full of stylish shops and popular fun spots, and a thriving residential area that thousands of San Franciscans call home. Its streets are filled with lovingly restored Victorian homes, rainbow pride flags, shops offering one-of-a-kind merchandise, heritage streetcars, lively bars and restaurants, and numerous gay-borhood landmarks including Harvey Milk Plaza, the Castro Theatre, Pink Triangle Park and Memorial, and the large SF Homosexual woman Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center. The Castro District, better known as The Castro, is a neighborhood in San Francisco, California, which is also known as Eureka Valley. San Francisco’s gay village is most concentrated in the business district that is located on Castro Street from Market Highway to 19th Street. It extends down Market Street toward Church and on both sides of the Castro neighborhood from Church Street to Eureka Street. Although the greater gay community was, and is, concentrated in the Castro many gay people inhabit in the surrounding residential areas bordered by the |