Change of sex will be free

According to the latest edition of the newsletter Diversidad
(Diversity), the National Assembly of Popular Power (parliament) will
discuss the issue of free sex change surgery, meaning that the health
care public system will treat all persons who apply.

The measure would complement the present Identity Law that already
acknowledges the right of citizens to change name and sexual identity.
This places Cuba at the vanguard of the legislations that acknowledge
the rights of transvestites, transsexuals and transgender in Latin
America.

"We have decided to begin with transsexuals because they are the most
vulnerable from the point of view of physical and psychological
health," said Mariela Castro Espín, director of the National Center of
Sexual Education (CENESEX).

According to the publication, Cuba's parliament will present several
favorable measures for the LGTB (Lesbians, Gays, Trans and Bisexuals)
community in 2007, including the legalization of same sex unions.