Love Is Now the Law: Cuba Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

Queer love reigns in Cuba with a sweeping 66% votes, implementing a new family code that reshapes the country’s priorities in protecting all citizens.

The citizens of Cuba successfully voted for a new family code that extends greater protection for women, children, and the elderly. In addition, this code legalizes marriage and adoption for LGBTQ+ couples.

Although legal gay marriage has become the norm in American society, it is relatively new in the scope of history. Therefore, it is no surprise that LGBTQ+ marriage is illegal in most countries. Out of 195 countries worldwide, only 33 of them allow same-sex marriage.

According to CNN, the LGBTQ+ Cubans faced discrimination under communist rule for decades. After Fidel Castro took power in the 1960s, many gay Cubans were sent to government work camps for “re-education.” Fortunately, the island legalized homosexuality in 1979, but this did not erase social discrimination against the community.

The remaining population of religious groups and conservatives aided in a standstill in social attitudes toward gay islanders. This group also opposes the inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community in the 2022 family code law update. However, the government of Cuba backed the new law change and hosted a campaign encouraging voters to support it.

Nevertheless, President Miguel Diaz-Canel acknowledged some of the nation’s resistance toward the new policy stating, “Most of our people will vote in favor of the code, but it still has issues that our society as a whole does not understand.” Despite criticism from opponents, President Canel took to Twitter to celebrate the measure’s approval, using the hashtag “Love is now the law.”

Ganó el Sí. Se ha hecho justicia. Aprobar el #CódigoDeLasFamilias es hacer justicia. Es saldar una deuda con varias generaciones de cubanas y cubanos, cuyos proyectos de familia llevan años esperando por esta Ley. A partir de hoy seremos una nación mejor. #ElAmorYaEsLey ❤️🇨🇺 pic.twitter.com/O5o0Hi2cm1

— Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) September 26, 2022

Additionally, members of the LGBTQ+ global family joined on Twitter to celebrate this historic news. Cuban-American singer Lauren Jauregui, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, also expressed her joy in an emotional tweet.

Mama, I’m now in tears too. It’s priceless to see that all this is now a law that has passed. I’m so happy for all the LGBTQIA+ community in Cuba. I’m so happy for all the LGBTQIA+ community all over the world. We deserve to have this recognition in every country! I love you! 🏳️‍🌈 pic.twitter.com/eBnkVnjhK1

— Cissa Loves Lauren (@lernjauregu1) September 28, 2022

Hopefully, Cuba’s efforts inspire change in the remaining 162 countries that have not made love the law yet. Congratulations to all LGBTQ+ Cubans. Love wins once again.