Cuba joins int'l campaign against homophobia

HAVANA, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Cuba launched a program of scientific and cultural activities Tuesday to join the international campaign against homophobia.

The activities call on Cuban citizens to be more tolerant, as male chauvinism and prejudice against homosexuality and transsexualism are rampant in Cuban society.

Mariela Castro Espin, director of the National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX), said the main objective of this program is to call for reflection and dialogue to eliminate discriminatory statements against people because of their sexual orientation.

The scientific and cultural activities will be held from May 11 to 18 under the auspices of CENESEX. The main activity will be held on May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, in the city of Santa Clara, about 270 km east of Havana.

The activities, to be attended by a panel on sexual diversity with university students, will include educational campaigns such as "HIV and homophobia" and "Homosexuality is not a threat, homophobia is."

This is the third consecutive year that Cuba is observing the International Day Against Homophobia. This date was chosen because on May 17, 1990, the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders.

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