“If there is one thing I'm completely convinced of, it's that the love that we same-sex people profess to each other is just as legitimate as the love that heterosexual people profess to each other.” Yadiel Cepero. Photo courtesy of the interviewee and used with permission. Yadiel Cepero is a young activist and computer science engineer who created a space for discussion on Facebook called “Building an agenda for sexual diversity in Cuba“, in which nearly 150 people participate. Cepero came to activism following his experience as a health and sexual rights advocate for the Youth Network of the National Center for Sexual Education (CENESEX). For two years he coordinated a project devoted to education about sexual health and rights called “Love at a Second Glance” at the Havana-based University of Computer Science. In 2014, he was a delegate at the sixth regional conference of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association for Latin America and the Caribbean. He is currently a member of the youth organizing arm of the Oscar Arnulfo Romero Center, where he works with young people's initiatives promoting social equality. The framework of the interview is based on the debates in Cuba over same-sex marriage, which isn't currently recognized in the island's constitution. The conversation took us to several interesting points in the debate, from the level of priority that people give same-sex marriage to the different lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) communities, as well as the pitfalls of legal texts that regulate the private lives of a country's citizens. Global Voices (GV): In your opinion, why should there be a way for people of the same sex to legalize their relationship in Cuba? Yadiel Cepero (YC): I think there should be a legal mechanism for this. Specifically because many legal procedures, including those that involve property that was purchased together, depend on the relationship being formalized and recognized by law. What this mechanism is called, whether it's same-sex marriage, consensual union, or something else, will depend on what our revolutionaries suggest and our ability to overcome the obstacles in our way. At the international level there are several countries that have included some of these mechanisms in their legal system. In Cuba, we are barely taking the first steps. Personally, I don't think a legal contract guarantees the emotional stability of a relationship, but it can help to protect heritage, facilitate procedures, and avoid regrettable injustices. Depending of the scope of the legal mechanism, [we will see if] the right of same-sex couples to adopt [is included]. This is a topic that few people talk about in Cuba. It's complicated and is not without ethical questions. YC: Personally, I believe that people's rights shouldn't be put through anyone's inquisitorial judgement, not even that of the majority. However, there are legal mechanisms that can't be left aside. For example, marriage is defined in the Constitution of the Republic of Cuba (article 36) as “the voluntarily established union between a man and a woman, who are legally fit to marry, in order to live together.” The Family Code takes non-formal unions into account. Some important modifications could be introduced there regarding the recognition of legal unions that don't have the conditions to be formal marriages, all of it without a national consultation. This second option seems the most plausible, but it has a limited reach. If it is approved, marriage would still be a constitutional right/privilege for couples of different sexes, while same-sex couples would have to settle for a non-formal union, or a consensual union, something that would accentuate discrimination further. I should clarify nonetheless, that a legal union between people of the same sex is just one item within the agenda of sexual diversity. Therefore, I think that the starting point of any legal initiative should be discussed and that the agenda should be agreed upon taking into consideration the proposals coming from activists and organizations. Regarding equal marriage itself, Cepero said: I believe it's overrated. Historically, marriage has been a tool to preserve patriarchy, monogamy, and the the Judeo-Christian double standard. I respect those who take a chance on it, but I don't think that the debate has reached the level of depth that it should have.