HAVANA -- Cuba's first daughter says island lawmakers will consider
legalizing same-sex civil unions this year.
Mariela Castro is the daughter of President Raul Castro and a prominent
gay rights activist. She says a preliminary proposal to modify the
country's Family Code is undergoing legal study and is on the
legislative schedule for 2012.
Many gays and transsexuals suffered persecution during the early years
after the 1959 revolution, but attitudes have become more tolerant.
Once-banned gay pride parades are now annual events, while the
government has led anti-homophobia campaigns and even begun paying for
sex change operations.
Mariela Castro's comments came in an interview published Monday by
state-run website Cubadebate.