HAVANA – Despite a warning issued by the government of this Spanish speaking Caribbean island, over 100 gay rights activists on Saturday held an unauthorized independent pride parade.
Carrying rainbow flags and chanting “long live a diverse Cuba”, they marched across the capital city, but were eventually stopped by dozens of security officials.
“This moment marks a before and an after for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community but also for Cuban civil society more generally,” said independent journalist and LGBT activist Maykel Gonzalez Vivero.
“Social media is playing its role and civil society demonstrated it has strength, and can go out onto the streets if necessary, and from now on the government will have to take that into account,” the activist said.
It is reported that the police arrested three activists and others were ordered to disperse due to the lack of an official permit.
This was the second march organised independently of state institutions in just over a month. (CMC)
