Part nine: Cuban gays and Cuba's Spanish
The situation with gays in Cuba has started to change recently, with the state trying to integrate homosexuals into society. Raul Castro's daughter has launched an independent group to defend the rights of gays. The government is also developing a legislation to allow homosexuals to change gender. As far as back in 1980s, there were hundreds of illegal cross-gender operations in Cuba. Our homosexual friend Lucas Garve is still discontented with the present situation. He believes that this is nothing but propaganda in order to show off that the authorities allegedly respect gays' rights. In reality, society remains homophobic.
"Another problem is that the government has focused on AIDS and homosexuality. Many people begin to associate these two issues as one. In Cuba, it is presently popular to show debates on the topic of homosexuals. However, they show gays with problems only", says Lucas.
"We are normal people!" laments Lucas. There are teachers, artists and poets among us. There are also many high-ranking officials who are gay. But they are not shown on TV. This is just a game".
Lucas Garve is a philologist by education. He wrote a book about how Cuban Spanish changed in the recent decades. In 1961, a language reform took place in Cuba. New political terms were introduced in order to express new realities such as "militia". In reality, the reform divided the population. Journalists, writers and artists are called the warriors of culture. Independent journalists are called the activists for human rights which has suprisingly aquired negative connotation.
63% percent of Cuba's population is under 40 years old. They don't know any other system or any other language. Lucas is right when he says that changing the language is a way to change mentality of the society.
"Another problem is that the government has focused on AIDS and homosexuality. Many people begin to associate these two issues as one. In Cuba, it is presently popular to show debates on the topic of homosexuals. However, they show gays with problems only", says Lucas.
"We are normal people!" laments Lucas. There are teachers, artists and poets among us. There are also many high-ranking officials who are gay. But they are not shown on TV. This is just a game".
Lucas Garve is a philologist by education. He wrote a book about how Cuban Spanish changed in the recent decades. In 1961, a language reform took place in Cuba. New political terms were introduced in order to express new realities such as "militia". In reality, the reform divided the population. Journalists, writers and artists are called the warriors of culture. Independent journalists are called the activists for human rights which has suprisingly aquired negative connotation.
63% percent of Cuba's population is under 40 years old. They don't know any other system or any other language. Lucas is right when he says that changing the language is a way to change mentality of the society.
