Sexuality in Cuba and the Case of Reinaldo Arenas

Homosexuality In Revolutionary Cuba, homosexuality faced the double stigma of machismo and decadence. It was associated with US imperialist influences (part of the “lazy youth” stereotype denounced by Castro in his March 1963 speech) Castro’s anti-gay policies mostly targeted young people and those in influence over them. He believed that older homosexuals were “trees that had already grown twisted” In the mid sixties, the University of Havana held a three year campaign in which students were encouraged to denounce any gay peers. Thousands of students were taken before University tribunals in order to renounce any counter-revolutionary sexual leanings. In 1965 the UMAP camps were erected, because Castro believed that homosexuality was an urban phenomenon and rural labor would cure it. In 1971 A National Congress of Education and Culture was held where it was declared that due to their potential for “negatively influencing” the young, homosexuality would not be tolerated among artists and educators.

After 1971 Homosexuals who had any contact with youth through cultural or educational activities were shifted to different organizations. Any artist suspected of “questionable morals” would be barred from representing Cuba abroad. Castro would eventually use the Mariel exodus as an excuse to exile gays from the country. Samuel Farber explains several influences that led to the Cuban persecution of homosexuals, including the masculinist militancy of revolutionary culture, long traditions of machismo inherited from Spanish colonialism, Soviet associations of homosexuality with decadence transmitted by the old Communists. Farber suggests that the biggest influence was Fidel himself, who had an animus toward “effeminate” men as evidenced in some of his earliest speeches.

Reinaldo Arenas Born in 1943 in the province of Oriente, family later moved to Holguin. Moved to Havana in 1963 to study at the Faculty of Arts and Letters and began working at the Biblioteca Jose Marti where his writing talent was noticed. Started receiving literary prizes from UNEAC (Union de escritores e artistas cubanos) By 1967 his sexuality put him at odds with the revolutionary government. He left the National Library and eventually became the editor of the literary magazine La gaceta de Cuba

Was arrested in 1974 for attempting to publish his work abroad. Arenas attempted a prison break and escape from Cuba via inner tube Was re-arrested and sent to “El Morro” a maximum security facility for hardened criminals. Caught trying to smuggle his writing out of prison and threatened with death, Arenas made a public renunciation of his writing and was freed

The Mariel Boatlift In 1980, Arenas would flee Cuba as part of the Mariel Boatlift. In the late 1970’s, relations between the USA and Cuba had warmed somewhat, Castro allowed exiles to visit their families in the country, while the USA continued their “Open arms” policy towards Cuban refugees under the Carter Administration

On April 1 st 1980, four Cubans boarded a bus in the upscale neighbourhood of Miramar in Havana. In collusion with the driver, they rammed the gate of the Peruvian embassy. Castro initially demanded the arrest of the individuals, however three days later on Friday, April 4 th, 750 people showed up to ask for asylum. This would increase to by Sunday the 6 th.

Castro declared the port of Mariel open for anyone who wanted to leave Cuba Two American Navy ships were deployed to help refugees in need of medical assistance, the rest of the exodus was facilitated by Cuban exiles who rented boats from ports in Miami and Key West. Some, who were poor were forced to travel in jerry rigged crafts.

Approximately 125,000 migrants travelled to the United States, half of whom settled in Miami and other parts of Florida. The influx of Cubans overwhelmed US aid agencies. The Mariel exodus would sour the short-lived Carter Administration détente between Cuba and the USA. The US would accuse Castro of using the exodus as an excuse to purge the country of criminals and undesirables. (The plot of the film “Scarface” revolves around this)