The homosexual marriage, which Cuba had given up including in its new Constitution in 2018, will be the subject of a referendum on September 25. Gestation for others and other provisions of the family code will also be subject to the vote.
Le Monde with AFP
a Cuba, a referendum on the new family code, which plans to legalize marriage between people of the same sex and gestation for others, will take place on September 25, announced on Friday July 22, the Cuban parliament, which hopes that This “inclusive and democratic” text will finally be approved.
In December 2018, Cuba had renounced to include in his new constitution changes paving the way for homosexual marriage, due to the opposition of a majority of citizens who have been consulted on this subject. Faced with this lifting of shields, the National Assembly had then decided that this question would fall under the family code, which would be the subject of “a popular consultation and a referendum within two years”. This code has been the subject of a large popular consultation between January and April, which led to the modification of almost 48 % of its text, according to official media.
Omero Acosta, secretary of the Council of State, said that Cubans will have to answer a single question during the referendum: “Do you agree with the family code?”. The law will be approved if it obtains “more than 50 % of the valid votes expressed in the ballot box”. He added that “it will be up to the sovereign people to make the final decision”, and said he was “convinced that when the time comes, the majority of the Cuban people will approve of this revolutionary, inclusive and democratic code”.
“most advanced ideas”
In a country still marked by machismo and homophobia, the family code, which will renew the law in force for 47 years, provides for the introduction of homosexual marriage, as well as the recognition of several fathers and mothers in addition Biological fathers and mothers, as well as “solidarity gestation” or substitution maternity.
“It’s a very exciting moment for all our people, attached to the most advanced ideas,” said MP Mariela Castro, daughter of ex-president Raul Castro and director of the National Center for Sex Education ( Cenesex), which promotes the fight for the rights of the LGBT + community for more than three decades.