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Paper short abstract

This paper examines the ambivalence between the ideological embrace and practice of state officials in relation to dealing with marginalised groups through the lens of the contemporary Cuban government towards LGBTQ+, with focus on trans community.

Paper long abstract

This paper examines the ambivalence between the ideological embrace and practice of state officials in relation to dealing with marginalised groups through the lens of the contemporary Cuban government towards LGBTQ+, with focus on trans community.

Cuba, while ideologically a socialist state has been undergoing a prolonged crisis in which led to the dismantlement of its welfare systems, institutional decay and what some Cubans call “covert capitalism” as everyone fends for themselves in order to make a living, mainly through informal work. This polycrisis that Cuba has been experiencing involves massive emigration, rising poverty and product scarcity, as well as crisis of care affecting the entire population.

Meanwhile, Cuban government adapted a number of progressive, leftist discourses in its ideology, including the LGBTQ+ rights. After years of persecution of non-heteronormative groups, the country allowed for the gender reassignment surgeries, legalised same-sex marriage and been open to LGBTQ+ rights organisations, CENESEX and TransCuba under the patronage of Mariela Castro. Moreover, Cuba has been offering healthcare to people infected with HIV, that disproportionately affected the LGBTQ+ community. On the other hand, many other LGBTQ+ organisations have been critical of hijacking the movement by government-funded institutions and not allowing dissenting voices, especially from queer Afro-Cuban groups. Moreover, many people, especially trans women experience police harassment, arbitrary arrests and violence.

This clash between official ideology and practice raises questions about how trans community relates to the state’s institutional systems, how they position themselves as citizens and what are their goals, dreams and ambitions.