According to the latest LGBTQ Travel Index by Spartacus, Cuba scored a rating of 2 in terms of overall LGBTQ rights, placing it ahead of El Salvador and Mexico, but well behind LGBTQ rights strongholds such as Canada and Belgium. However, as recently as 2019, the government has canceled pro-gay events, including the annual Pride parade, and there seems to be a soft rollback of gay rights in Cuba in the works. For example, trans individuals are entitled to gender reassignment surgery via the country’s universal healthcare system. Undeniably, some notable advancements have been codified into law. Moreover, the island nation is currently weathering an unpredictable human rights storm. A large swath of Cubans accept homosexuality socially, but religious upbringings often cloud judgments regarding marriage and adoption, contributing to a formal lack of gay rights in Cuba. Is Cuba safe for LGBTQ travelers? Despite its conservative streak, the country is a popular vacation destination for gay, lesbian, and trans travelers. A large swath of Cubans accept homosexuality socially, but religious. Such warnings lead us to ask the question, is Cuba safe for gay and lesbian travel these days? However, certain people worry that a backlash is brewing and advise queer people to be more vigilant when in public. In recent years, activists have reported improved public acceptance, and the country appeared to be moving in the right direction. That said, Cuba does not recognize same-sex marriages nor does it allow LGBTQ couples to adopt.
Yes, the government decriminalized consensual, private, same-sex relations in 1979, gay and lesbians can serve openly in the military, and officials declared discrimination based on sexual-orientation illegal in 2010.
Is Cuba safe for gay and lesbian travel, and more specifically is Havana safe for gay and lesbian travelers? At the moment, LGBTQ rights in Cuba are a mixed bag.