On this episode of the OUTcast Podcast, we discussed the ground-breaking 2022 referendum made to Cuba’s Family Code. Once considered progressive for its time, the 1975 Family Code was created to mandate equality for women. However, as decades passed, the Family Code quickly became outdated and needed to be amended to reflect the current times. After passing with 66% of votes in favor of reform, Cuba ushered in a new era redefining the idea of family, marriage, reproductive rights, maternity rights, and rights for people with disabilities. Included in this referendum were federal protections of LGBTQ marriages, adoptions, and reproductive rights. So, to gain an accurate assessment of Cuba’s Family Code, we invited community organizer, cultural worker, writer, and art historian, Devyn Springer, to the pod to speak about how this referendum came to be, the history of the tension between the U.S. and Cuba, and their experiences living on the island of Cuba.
