What's life like for LGBTQ people in Cuba? Let's take a look at some of the key equality indicators.

Prior to the 1950s, Cuba was a socially conservative society. Things took a turn for the worse for the LGBTQ community following the Cuban revolution, with anyone who was perceived as ‘different’ viewed as a potential threat to national security. From the early 1960’s LGBTQ people were systematically targeted and imprisoned in labour camps. This persecution continued into the 1970s.

Progress made

Same-sex relationships were decriminalised in 1979, but it wasn’t until the late 1980s that social attitudes began to change and there was less discrimination against the LGBTQ community.

Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is now illegal in Cuba, following legislation that was passed in 2018. These anti-discrimination protections were subsequently enshrined in the constitution of Cuba.