Cuba on Sunday held a rare referendum on an unusually contentious law — a government-backed “family law” code that would allow same-sex couples to marry and adopt, as well as outlining the rights of children and grandparents.
Cuba holds parliamentary elections every two years, though no party other than the Communist Party is allowed to stand, but seldom has it held referendums on specific laws and seldom has an officially backed measure met as much open criticism as the family law of more than 400 articles, which has been questioned by many members of the island’s increasingly vocal evangelical community.
The sweeping new code also would allow surrogate pregnancies, broader rights for grandparents in regard to grandchildren, protection of the elderly and measures against gender violence.
Photo: Reuters
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who has promoted the law, acknowledged resistance as he voted on Sunday.
“Most of our people will vote in favor of the code, but it still has issues that our society as a whole does not understand,” he said.
Results of the referendum were expected yesterday.
Sixty-four-year-old market vender Miguel Alberto Galindo said he had voted for the measure.
“It’s time that homosexuals have the same rights as everyone else,” he said.
Alejandro Rodriguez, a 33-year-old hardware store worker, said he had voted against the measure.
“Some things in the code are good, but others are bad,” Rodriguez said.
He said he did not agree with giving gay couples the same rights as “normal” families.
The measure was approved by the Cuban Parliament and National Assembly, following thousands of government-organized information sessions this year in neighborhoods across the nation.
A major supporter of the measure is Mariela Castro, director of the National Center for Sex Education, a promoter of rights for same-sex couples, and daughter of former Cuban president Raul Castro and the niece of his brother, former Cuban presidentFidel Castro.
However, there is a strong strain of social conservatism in Cuba, where evangelical churches have been growing.
Several religious leaders have expressed concern or opposition to the law, worrying it could weaken nuclear families.
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