Cuba and the Revolutionary Struggle to Transform a Sexist Consciousness

Abstract

Although many Cuban women have played distinguished roles in national history, they have also been forced to face the harsh realities of patriarchal hegemony. As the Cuban Revolution turns 50, its humanist focus and tenets of respect for men and women as human beings may not be sufficient, but there is no doubt that these are the values that we defend. There remain many objective and subjective factors that perpetuate discrimination against women. Consciousness must be transformed to prepare for new realities. Lesbian women face double discrimination, and the transformation of consciousness with regard to lesbianism will require all the more understanding and willingness to change. A survey of images of lesbians on the Cuban screen points to the difficulties of this effort but at the same time shows that progress is possible.