Out-FM aired on Sept. 27, 2022
Havana Street Scene
A major reform of Cuba's Families Law was approved by a wide margin in a referendum on 9/26/22. This includes the rights of lesbians and gay men to marry, enter civil unions, and adopt children. The decision to enhance rights of LGBTQ Cubans follows decades of organizing by queer Cubans.
Mariela Castro Espin
Mariela Castro, niece of Fidel, daughter of Raul and of Vilma Espin, and director of the National Center for Sex Education, played an essential role in these developments. Out-FM airs sound from a 2012 NYC public event in which Mariela responded to questions about the treatment of LGBTQ Cubans in the early years of the revolution. She discussed the work she has initiated to educate Cuban society about sexual issues.
After airing that recording, co-host Naomi Brussel had a dialogue with Rev. Dorlimar Lebrón, Lead Pastor of the First Spanish United Methodist Church, aka The People's Church, of El Barrio/East Harlem and a Vice Chair of IFCO/Pastors for Peace, which sponsors frequent trips to Cuba to oppose the illegal U.S. blockade of that country.
This program was produced by Naomi Brussel and John Riley.