Freedom Socialist Bulletin • Number 37 • Winter/Spring 2007 Cuba is currently discussing free sex-change surgery and legalising same-sex marriage. This puts Cuba way ahead of most of the world. Queers internationally have long defended Cuba against increasing U.S. aggression. One example is Rainbow Solidarity for the Cuban 5 — Gerardo Hernández, Antonia Guerrero, Ramon Labaniño, Fernando Gonzáles, and René Gonzáles. They are serving 75 years of jail time and four life terms in U.S. penitentiaries for blowing the whistle on terrorists plotting against Cuba, under White House protection. By infiltrating reactionary groups in Miami, the Five enabled Cuba to thwart numerous planned attacks. Yet a rigged trial found them guilty of the manufactured charges of espionage and conspiracy. Imprisoned since 1998, the Five are separated from each other and rarely allowed to see friends and family. Despite this, they refuse to be silenced. Rainbow Solidarity put out a call for a Lesbian/Gay/Bi/Transgender (LGBT) global campaign to demand a new trial to free the Five, an end to U.S. acts of war against Cuba, and defence of Cuban sovereignty and self-determination. Says organiser, Leslie Feinberg, "The solidarity initiative has inspired self-motivated grassroots organising by LGBT and other activists who fight oppression based on sexuality, gender expression and sex." Individuals and organisations from more than 32 countries and 43 states across the United States have signed on. To read and sign the call, go to www.freethefiveny.org and look for the rainbow. |
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