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            This afternoon I attended Frances Negron-Muntaner’s talk titled “Mariconerias’ of State: Mariela Castro, Homosexuals, and Cuban Politics.” Negron-Muntaner, a celebrated scholar and filmmaker, began her talk by discussing Cuba’s homophobic past. Did you know that in the 60’s Cuba, under Castro’s regime, detained homosexuals in labor camps?! To make matters more interesting, the Cuban government, under the rule of Fidel’s brother, Raul Castro, recently imposed a policy that encourages sexual minorities to engage in Cuba’s domestic discourse. Ironically, this same government that once locked up homosexuals is now welcoming them with open arms. At present, the Cuban government even funds gender reassignment surgery for transsexuals.  

            Negron-Muntaner centered her lecture on answering the question of where exactly does the government’s newly founded love for homosexuals come from. She went onto argue that since Cuba never completely embraced its masculine identity it had to seek out a “sweeter, more feminine body.” The talk continued with a discussion about Mariela Castro, the daughter of Cuba’s current president, Raul Castro. Mariela is said to be the influential female political figure behind Cuba’s sexual revolution. Consequently, Mariela has been marketed as the face for Cuba’s changing domestic policy.