Gay parade in Havana
If someone had said to me two years ago that in Cuba´s capital there would be various state-owned nightclubs with transvestite shows and an abundant gay public, I would have labeled them as crazy.
The essence of chauvinism in many, the ignorance of others and even bad faith marks the exclusion, persecution, contempt and repression of homosexuals, those who are "different," especially in the political state and consecuently in many areas of society.
Concrete examples and cases are from the last half century. Fortunately, and this is good news, something is changing and there is a visible openness, some tolerance.
A few meters from the iconic and combative Plaza de la Revolución (Revolution Plaza) the "Café Cantante Mi Habana" has become one of the liveliest spots with gay entertainment with varied artistic offerings on the weekends.
The same applies to another restaurant located in Central Havana, the "Piano Bar Habaneciendo," which on Mondays is frequented by hundreds of gay cliental, as so many have been waiting for an opportunity that allows them to enter and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere.
Thursdays, there is also the Havana cabaret, "Las Vegas," the first transvestite performance that is supported by the Minister of Culture…seeing is believing.
Until recently, homosexuals, for their enjoyment and expansion, organized clandestine parties with transvestite shows at the most diverse geographical locations in the city, due to the high level of risk at being persecuted by authorities.
A specialist from the National Sexual Education Center (CENESEX) acknowledges that this is not just a distinctly gay trend, and that "people are always looking for new places to gather." The local owners of such "newfound" places are proving to be very friendly and understanding, not refusing dozens of men to dance with other men, nor women with women.
For a decade, Cuban gays have asked authorities to be able to join and have their own spaces, and have loudly stated: "Homosexuals are also children of the revolution. It would be good to start thinking as a whole."
Now you know, that in these places, at least on the days mentioned, Havana has, as I recently heard a Spanish tourist call it, a "gay scene."
Details:
Café Cantante Mi Habana, Ave. Paseo and 39, Plaza.
Phone: (+53-7) 878 4275
Piano Bar Habaneciendo, Neptuno between Águila and Galiano, Central Havana.
Phone: (+53-7) 862 4165 and (+53-7) 860 8296
Cabaret Las Vegas, Infanta Street on the corner of 25, Vedado area.
