"This moment marks a before and an after for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community but also for Cuban civil society more generally," said independent journalist and LGBT activist Maykel Gonzalez Vivero. Activists called for their own parade after the state-run National Centre for Sex Education (CENESEX) earlier this week abruptly cancelled its 12th annual conga against homophobia - Cuba's equivalent of gay pride. Cuban LGBT activists participate in an annual demonstration against homophobia and transphobia in Havana, Cuba May 11, 2019. REUTERSBut many LGBT activists said they felt the government was reacting more to pressure from evangelical churches, which have a growing following in Cuba and have campaigned against the expansion of gay rights. "This isn't a political march, this is a celebration to give the LGBT community visibility," said Myrna Rosa Padron Dickson.

Source: bd News24 May 12, 2019 01:18 UTC