By Raquel Sierra

A couple is at home. They begin to talk, then to argue and finally resort to physical aggression. Lidia and Gonzalo decided to get married after a two-year betrothal. Despite ups and downs, they had children and shared frustrations and happy moments. She initially believed her husband when he told her: “It will not happen again”. As physical violence continued, she often experienced fear, had to move to her sister’s and threatened him to get divorced. Under these conditions, conflicts can arise any time, Lidia told WNS. Violence provides “some relief” to contradictions over marriage, experts indicated.

By Sara Más
What transsexuals, bisexuals, homosexuals and transvestites in Cuba and elsewhere really need is acceptance. To them, this is more important than any opportunity to express themselves freely or receive healthcare and guidance services. Such an opinion was shared by many participants in the 4th Cuban Congress on Sex Education, Guidance and Therapy, which was held earlier this month in Havana. While some progress has been made along these lines, there is still a long way to go, especially in societies where male-chauvinistic attitudes are deeply rooted, they stressed. "We have fought discrimination against non-heterosexual individuals, but the truth of the matter is that there is marginalization behind certain feelings of ´compassion, complacency and tolerance´" said Omar Parada, local coordinator of the MSM Project in Granma province, 700 kilometers east of Havana. MSM stands for Men Having Sex with Men.