It wasn’t big in terms of numbers, but it was massive in terms of advancement for equality, awareness and acceptance. The very first Cuban Pride has taken place, ok, so there were just a few people taking place, not much more than a dozen or so. But, these few brave souls made a massive stand on the road to gay rights recognition in the country.
"We are not asking for anything, we're only celebrating the fact that Cuba voted at the United Nations in favour of recognizing the rights of the gay community," said Ignacio Estrada, one of the leaders of the Cuban Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered People's Rights Watch Group.
The march itself wasn’t long either, just going along the 500 meters of Prado Avenue towards the seaside boulevard, the Malecon in Havana. There wasn’t an incident, or any of the trouble that some had warned of. In fact it was a peaceful and happy event.
Cuba's Centre for Sexual Education, directed by Mariela Castro, the daughter of President Raul Castro, celebrates a "day against homophobia" every year, but this was the first time a Gay Pride march was held in downtown Havana. For decades under ruling one-party communist government, gays have faced both traditional social and government ostracism, and often tried to hide. Some wound up in prison, and many went into exile. Therefore this new move towards a more open society and even equality is a big shift.
Yet, Leannes Imbert, another director of the human rights watch group told reporters "discrimination unfortunately still exists in Cuba, we are turned down for certain jobs, and there are hassles of all other kinds as well. "We're trying to do the real work of a revolution, to 'change what must be changed,'" said Imbert, quoting an expression made famous by Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro.
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