Love is the Law

You would never know it from the capitalist media, but in addition to ensuring housing and health care for all, Cuba's revolution is making huge strides in gender and sexual liberation. In 2022, Cuba held a referendum for a new Families Code, a major overhaul to the country's constitution in regard to sexuality, gender, and family life. This is one of the world's most progressive codes on families, and it passed with 66.85% in favor. This code greatly expands the rights of women, queer and trans people, and ultimately all Cubans. U.S. transgender communist activist, Melinda Butterfield said: 'When it was reported - if it was reported at all in the capitalist media ... it was just, 'oh, Cuba has finally gotten around to adopting same-sex marriage.' But the Families Code is so much bigger than that, and so much more comprehensive, and not only for the queer community, but for all families and all kinds of communities in Cuba.' The code was developed and adopted via a mass-democratic process that happened across the country, with debate everywhere from neighborhood assemblies to labor union halls. This book documents how Cuba's socialist revolution made this possible, with plenty of discussion about what LGBTQ+ communities outside Cuba can learn from Cuba's example, at a time when capitalist governments like that of the U.S. are trying to erase queer and trans people and push back all gains made by working-class and oppressed people. This book includes: Presentation by Cenesex director Mariela Castro Espín Discussion with a transmasculine Cuban activist Reports from LGBTQ+ delegation who went to Cuba to learn about new Families Code Report from delegation to Guantánamo Peace Seminar The full text of Leslie Feinberg's Rainbow Solidarity in Defense of Cuba and more.