Cuban Transwoman To Get Married

I find it an ironic and interesting development that while transpeople getting married is being fought tooth and nail in so called democratic Texas, Hong Kong and Malta, it will be happening in Cuba.

Thanks to the influence of sexologist Mariela Castro Espin, the daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro and niece of Fidel, the TBLG community on the island has seen major progress from the days when homophobia ran rampant on the island.   While there's been improvement on many LGBT fronts, same gender marriage isn't one of them because Cuba's constitution does not allow it.   There's been such forward momentum lately on TBLG issues that Fidel Castro last year expressed his regrets about the past persecution and repression of the LGBT community under the first decades of his leadership.

However, there's also some interesting chatter about tensions rising amongst the GLBT community on the island aimed at their powerful benefactor.


Things for the transcommunity are looking even brighter with a gender program run by Mariela Castro called CENESEX that offers free SRS to Cuban citizens.   The person who received the first state sanctioned SRS  surgery in Cuba in 2007 as part of this program is in the news again for another groundbreaking reason.

37 year old Wendy Iriepa, one of the Cuban transpeople I featured as part of a trans photo essay post on this blog,  is getting married to 31 year old Ignacio Estrada on August 13, Fidel Castro’s 85th birthday.

It marks the first wedding of its kind in Cuba.  While she is recognized as a female under Cuban law (duh),  interestingly enough her future hubby considers himself gay.  

He says that doesn't matter because he fell in love with Iriepa and hopes that their marriage will mark a new era for the nation of Cuba.

Congratulations Wendy and Ignacio.  May you both have a long, healthy and happy marriage. 

We also hope it marks a new era for the rest of the nations on this planet too.   They need to cease and desist with interfering with and invalidating our marriages for specious faith-based bigoted reasons.  

Texas Queer Youth Politics Survey

My sis Ambalika Williams as part of her internship is compiling a Queer Youth Politics Survey.
But I'll let her tell y'all what it's about.

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Hello, my name is Ambalika Williams and I'm an intern at Equality Texas as well as a student at the University of Texas at Austin. Currently, Equality Texas is working to make the organization more inclusive to younger people. We recognize that in order to have a successful movement inclusion of young people is vital.

In order to make these changes and build stronger connections with young activist, we would like to know what issues or concerns are facing young Texans. If you are between the ages of 15-25 and are a minority in terms of gender and sexuality please complete this survey. Feel free to email me any questions you might have. Moreover, if you are interested in getting involved with Equality Texas please contact me at ambalika.williams@utexas.edu.

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If you're between the ages of 15-25 and a resident of the Lone Star State, here's your opportunity to be heard by a large TBLG organization.   Please consider taking it and helping her compile the data so they can do a better job of helping you out.. 

Burnaby School Board Unanimously Passes Gender ID-Sexual Orientation Inclusive Policy

It's not just school districts in the States that recognize the harmful effects bullying of TBLG students causes for them and the barriers they create to learning for our community.  Was pleased to read that Canadian school districts are taking a stand against it as well.   

During its June 14 meeting the Burnaby Schools Board of Education in the Vancouver, British Columbia metro area unanimously approved Policy 5.45.   It was two years in development and is designed to help address transphobic and homophobic harassment and bullying in Burnaby Schools.

Policy 5.45 seeks “to ensure that all members of the school community work together in an atmosphere of respect and safety regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.” and also has the goal of supporting the Burnaby School District’s commitment to provide a safe and caring educational environment..


“Our schools reflect the increasing diversity in our rapidly changing communities," Burnaby School Board Chair Larry Hayes said. “We may differ in our language, culture, national origin, religion or sexual orientation but we all want to feel safe and welcome. We believe this policy will help to foster respect, acceptance and understanding in our schools – and our community.”

Glad they see it that way, and hope the policy makes a difference for kids in that district.