I don’t know where you are in the world, but where I am its cold. Not sub-zero cold, but its still pretty freezing. Whenever have to go outside, its an adventure. So yeah, let’s just say I long for a vacation.
How about a beach in….Cuba?
Recently, the Obama Administration announced that it would be overhauling its policies regarding Cuba. For those unaware, the gist of it is that since the 1960s the United States has had an economic embargo place on Cuba limiting travel and economic trade to the island.
This may soon change. President Obama is scheduled to meet with Cuban Dictator Raul Castro on April 11th, 2015 in Panama.
Added to that, Mariela Castro, heterosexual daughter of President Castro, has been a vocal public advocate for Cuban LGBT rights as director of the state-run National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX). This comes somewhat as a shock and relief for many gay Cubans since, in the recent past, homosexuals were imprisoned just for being gay.
Now things have appeared to change…Maybe.
What all that means is the beaches of Cuba may soon be a hot LGBT travel destination….or not.
While Americans can technically travel to Cuba, the trips are limited to person-to-person guided tours costing as much as $6,000 per person. So no sitting on the beach all day drinking mojitos, even if you do have the money to spend.
This limitation may be lifted once a deal is struck by the Obama Administration, but even then, casual tourism to Cuba may be a ways off.
In the meantime, we can at least learn about our gay brethren of color in the country.
Thanks to photographer Mariette Pathy Allen and others, we can do that from afar.
Mariette Pathy Allen
Mariette Pathy Allen has spent the last 35 years photographing and advocating for the lives of LGBT and Transgender people. Her new book, TransCuba features 80 striking images of Transgender women living in Cuba.
Photographer Mariette Pathy Allen traveled to Cuba for the first time in 2012 and became friends with two transgender women, who then introduced her to others in the community like Erika, pictured with her boyfriend in Cienfuegos. – Daily Mail UK
Another scene at Mi Cayito beach. Transgender Paloma kissing with her boyfriend.
Nick Delmacy
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Article kinda reminds me of a film trailer I saw recently. Not sure if I’ll see the film though.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2400002/
As a future diplomat and a person who has international relation scholastic credentials I am super excited for the prospects to travel to Cuba in the near future. We as Americans have a somewhat jaded perspective because of our 50 year old Embargo and Travel Ban. Virtually every other state in the world currently has normal relations with the island nation.
I just hope that the Cuban LGBT community can keep its authenticity. Americans gays have a tendency annex other people’s culture and it seems that the Cubans are creating a vibrant LGBT community.
Sign me up for a CA excursion to Cuba, I will start brushing on on my Spanish!!
I would go to Cuba in a Heart beat, I think once Cuba is open it will be a great destination. sunny beaches, sexy Cubans, and warm ocean waters.
I so can’t wait to go one day, I really hope this is the opening Cuba needs to get on it way to joining the rest of the world.
Ahhhhh vacation, all I ever wanted
Vacation; have to get away.
Great article.. Interesting, yet very educational. Knew about the upcoming policy changes, and how far off it would be before tourism, but had no idea about the gay scene there. Hell some of those escorts were some cuties lol
Personally, I’d rather wait until Cuba catches up with some better infrastructure from what I can tell. It’s not the only island on the planet and to me, I’d rather just go to a similar place that’s cheaper. Plus, I think part of the allure is that Americans can’t directly get there from here. Not saying I’d never go, just that “they ain’t ready” yet.
I’d just like their tourism industry mature a little.
I do expect it to be a cruise ship stop though and I know all the airlines and cruiselines have had plans on the books for years waiting for when they can get in on this island.
The price tag is way too high for the guided tours, but other than that I’d damn sure love to go. Cubans are sexy, no denying that.
It’s a nah for me…I’ll stick with the tropical spots that have a sizable US/CAN expat population and have an established/dominant tourism industry dependent on the patronage of westerners.
As a travel specialist I am very much looking forward to visiting Cuba myself. The $6000 fare per/person sounds like an inclusive rate which includes air, hotel, transfers to and from the hotel, optional meal plans as well as the planned tours, some of which includes meals as well for 5 to 7 nights. Tourism regulations are still undergoing and I’m learning as more info becomes available.