In paying for sex changes, Cuba breaks from past (health care system covering reassignment surgery)

[Mika]

In paying for sex changes, Cuba breaks from past
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/international/americas/view/20100310in_paying_for_sex_changes_cuba_breaks_from_past

By Associated Press
Wednesday, March 10, 2010 - Added 1h ago

HAVANA - Looking in the mirror used to make Yiliam Gonzalez sick to her stomach.

"I would see myself, and my body didn’t match who I was," said the 28-year-old wedding pianist, who went by William before receiving a sex change under Cuba’s universal health care system.

Gonzalez is living proof of a small but remarkable transformation for the rugged revolution of Fidel Castro, Che Guevara and a band of ever-macho, bearded rebels, who long punished gays and transsexuals — but now are paying for sex changes.

Standing six feet (183 centimeters) tall, with shoulder-length blond hair, heavy makeup and an ID card still bearing a man’s name, Gonzalez underwent the procedure in 2008. She was one of eight Cubans to do so through a program begun in 1988 — then suspended for two decades, after many complained the communist government had better ways to spend its scarce resources.

The operations have begun anew under President Raul Castro’s daughter Mariela, Cuba’s top gay-rights activist, and 22 more transsexuals are waiting to have it performed.

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[nickinSTL]

1. good for Cuba

:thumbsup: