Rea Carey and Mariela Castro in conversation

Tonight, at the New York Public Library, Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey, will discuss the current international context of LGBT rights, including issues of sexual identity and orientation in contemporary Cuba with Mariela Castro Espín. For more on the event titled, “LGBT Rights in Cuba, the United States and Beyond: Mariela Castro and Rea Carey in Conversation” click here.

In 2010 the Cuban government began providing sex reassignment surgery free of charge as part of their universal healthcare. This was the result of several years of work by the Cuban National Center for Sex Education under the leadership of Mariela Castro Espín, niece of Fidel Castro and daughter of current Cuban president Raúl Castro. The current developments in LGBT rights in Cuba are remarkable given the discrimination suffered by gays, lesbians, and transgender people in Cuba in the 20th century, as well as comparison with current LGBT movements in the U.S. and abroad.

Due to the popularity of the event, all available seats have been filled. However, there will be video after the event, and we’ll post the link here once it is available.