Learning from Cuba’s ‘code of freedom’ for families WEBINAR January 22, 2023

Rights for LGBTQ+ people * Equality for chosen families * Respect for youth, elders and the disabled

Webinar: What we can learn from Cuba’s ‘code of freedom’ for families

On Sept. 25 something incredibly important happened just 90 miles from U.S. shores. After three years of democratic discussion and education at all levels of society, the people of socialist Cuba voted by a two-thirds margin for a new Code of Families.

The new code enshrines in law the rights of LGBTQ+ people and women in marriage and adoption. It changes the fundamental relationship between parents and children to one based on responsibilities and rights. It elevates chosen families to the same status as blood families. It protects the rights and dignity of elders and disabled people. It embraces the rights that are being stripped away from people in the U.S., or that we never had at all.

Cuba is under siege from the U.S. blockade, which has been condemned by the United Nations for 30 years, but tightened by Trump and maintained by Biden. How was Cuba able to accomplish this historic transformation of families while faced with climate-change disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic? And why are the U.S. media silent about this accomplishment?

What can we learn from Cuba’s experience building solidarity at a time when our rights are under vicious attack by the capitalist class, its political parties and violent white supremacist groups?

SPEAKERS
Special message from Mariela Castro Espín, director of CENESEX – Cuba’s National Center for Sex Education
Berta Joubert-Ceci, Women In Struggle / Mujeres En Lucha
Cheryl LaBash, National Network on Cuba co-chair
Gloria Verdieu, Prisoners Solidarity Committee
Mahtowin Munro, United American Indians of New England
Melinda Butterfield, Struggle-La Lucha co-editor