Cuba's LGBTQ community celebrates same-sex marriage with pride conga

The National Times - Cuba's LGBTQ community celebrates same-sex marriage with pride conga

Cuba's LGBTQ community celebrates same-sex marriage with pride conga / Photo: © AFP

Around 200 Cubans marched in Havana on Saturday to the rhythm of conga, a popular dance, protesting against homophobia and transphobia, and celebrating the legalization of same-sex marriage.

Change text size:

Chanting "socialism yes, homophobia no", demonstrators swayed their hips and beat rhythmically on drums as they cheered the 'Family Code', passed last September.

The code permits surrogate pregnancies as long as no money changes hands and legally recognizes same-sex adoptions, as well as several fathers or mothers in addition to the biological parents.

It also defines marriage as the union between two people, rather than that of a man and a woman, while boosting the rights of children, the elderly and the disabled.

"It was a debt the revolutionary process owed" to Cuba's LGBTQ community, Ana Clara Leon, a student parading with a rainbow flag tied around her waist, told AFP.

Yoilan Balon, a coordinator for the Transcuba network promoting trans rights, said: "It was something that all gay people were waiting for, who wanted to consummate their couple relationship."

Diana Pena, who organizes the network's youth outreach, said the conga pride parade suited Cuba's spirit.

"It is the conga of pride, we Cubans are very much about partying, conga, fun and this way we can express our diversity."

The march was led by Mariela Castro, daughter of one of Cuba's revolutionary leaders Raul Castro and a supporter of the Family Code, alongside Lis Cuesta, wife of President Miguel Diaz-Canel.

Cuba's machismo culture was exacerbated in the 1960s and 1970s, when the government ostracized the LGBTQ community, sending many to militarized agricultural labor camps.

W.Phillips--TNT

Samsung Tops Africa Smartphone Market in Revenue and Sales Volume

Samsung Electronics has ranked first in Africa’s smartphone market for both revenue and unit sales in the second quarter of 2026. The South Korean technology giant achieved this milestone by introducing flexible daily and weekly payment plans tailored to local income structures, allowing it to surge past competitors despite a broader decline in regional smartphone sales.

Get Huge: Looksmaxxing to Death Docuseries Details Tony Huge's Thailand Crimes

A new three-part docuserie titled 'Get Huge: Looksmaxxing to Death' investigates the criminal activities of Tony Huge, a former model and bodybuilder who orchestrated disappearances in Thailand. The series examines the intersection of online influencer culture and real-world violence, with director Stacey Lee highlighting the dangers of toxic masculinity narratives.

Pikmin 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy Review: A Challenging New Era

Nintendo has released an updated version of Pikmin 4 for the Nintendo Switch 2, featuring enhanced 4K resolution and a substantial new challenge mode. The 'Dandori Academy' offers a rigorous test of planning skills, addressing criticisms that the original game lacked sufficient difficulty, while promising ongoing content updates throughout next year.

Readers Debate GTA 6 Spin-offs, Server Strain, and Warner Bros. Decline in Games Inbox

In this week’s Games Inbox, readers discuss the potential direction of the first Grand Theft Auto 6 spin-off, questioning whether Rockstar will upgrade Liberty City or San Andreas. The column also addresses anxieties regarding server capacity for the upcoming launch, the cancellation of James Gunn’s role at DC Studios, and positive reviews of the new Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake.