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Me, Live from Cuba: Tips for First Timers | @*InsightCuba*<https://twitter.com/insightcuba> http://insightcuba.com/blog/2012/11/21/live-from-cuba-tips-for-first-timers <http://t.co/CnAURP5h> #*cuba*<https://twitter.com/search?q=%23cuba&src=hash> [image: RosaCSB]*RosaCSB* @*csbrosa* <https://twitter.com/csbrosa> Update on OFAC sanctions http://www.treasury.gov/resource-cente r/sanctions/Programs/Documents/cuba_tsp.pdf <http://t.co/7CmDBfpA> *RosaCSB* @*csbrosa* <https://twitter.com/csbrosa> RT @*csbrosa* <https://twitter.com/csbrosa>: The Lucas Phenomenon, Part 1: Celebrating #*Cuban* <https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Cuban&src=hash>Music Videos http://buff.ly/WuBRBJ <http://t.co/vEbrH9Di> Cubas Transsexual City Council Member Adela and Her Strength to Resist Posted By *Circles Robinson* On November 22, 2012 @ 10:58 am In *Fernando Ravsberg,Lead Articles,Opinion* | *No Comments<http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=82579&print=1#comments_controls> * *Fernando Ravsberg** <http://cartasdesdecuba.com/> [1] Adela (pictured together with some of her neighbors) was elected as a delegate of Peoples Power. HAVANA TIMES Adela, the transsexual elected as a delegate to the Peoples Power (town council) in the municipality of Caibarien, isnt the first member of the LGBT community who has stood out in Cuba, others have done it in culture, sports, arts, religion and even in politics. However, shes marking a milestone because this doesnt involve an isolated individual but someone from the people. She was elected by her neighbors, people who feel that shell represent them better than any of the other candidates in their area. Its a victory of the will power of Jose Agustin Hernandez to advance in society while remaining Adela, and this is also a victory for the residents of Caibarien over homophobic prejudices that plague sectors of Cuban society and its political class. They say theres no greater strength than the ability to resist, and Jose Agustin has been resisting ever since he was a child, when he wasnt even conscious of his marked mannerisms or the woman that he carried inside his male body. There in the sugar mill town where Adela was born, everyone made fun of her father because his son was so patently fagot. The parental humiliation then turned into beatings. These were the first blows that Augustin learned to resist. As she grew up, her mannerisms only worsened and the paternal pummeling became even more brutal, and without achieving their intention. Adelas female characteristics became increasingly apparent, so her father decided to report her to the authorities, who sent her to jail to make her straight for once and for all. Put him in prison until he becomes man, thats what my father said to warden at the prison. So I turned around and said, Youre going to have to give me a life sentence then, because Im never going to be a man. She told me this without disguising her resentment for having been betrayed so early. Those were times when it wasnt difficult to prosecute a homosexual, so Jose Agustin spent two years behind bars. But still she resisted. She didnt turn into just another criminal, instead when she was released she decided to study and clear new paths. Her mother didnt care about the sexual preference. She worked hard and behind her husbands back sent money to Adela to maintain herself while she was studying, first in high school and then at a nursing school. Adela succeeded in overcoming marginalization, misunderstanding and homophobia. Adelas educational journey was not without pain. First there was the teasing and later violence reappeared, but this time Adela responded. Dressed up as a woman, she fought back and she won! Social intolerance wasnt going be defeat her resistance. She settled in a poor neighborhood of Caibarien and soon ceased being Augustin the fagot to become Adela the nurse. She inspired so much respect that after 28 years her neighbors elected her as president of the Committee for the Defense of the Revolution. Shes now 48 years old and those living in the barrio believe she can represent them as their delegate to Peoples Power, with her serving as a kind of city councilperson, nominated by residents in neighborhood assemblies and elected by secret ballot from among several candidates. I was chosen because I speak my mind. I call things by their name in front of anyone, and my first intention is to defend my community. She dreams of improving the drinking water and the street lighting and seeing to it that the streets are repaired. But these are only the first steps, she says, adding that the institutions will have to address their complaints, because they know me well and they know that I dont stop until I achieve a goal, I thats why they listen to me, and thats why Ive succeeded so far. This isnt the end of the road; she thinks that one day she can become a member of Cubas parliament. But if it happens shell carry on as she has, without her ceasing to be Adela (who incidentally performs each week in a show at a transvestite club attended by sugar workers from there in Caibarien). Today she recalled that: I often thought about killing myself. I was like a cornered cat that they didnt let breath. But one day I said to myself that I had to resist and overcome, and I did. I learned that although the pain was killing me inside, I needed to keep on going. I talked with Adela for about an hour during her shift at the hospital where she works as an electrocardiogram specialist. Long before ending the interview, I already understood why shed been elected by her neighbors. *(*) Read Fernando Ravsbergs blog Cartasdesdecuba<http://cartasdesdecuba.com/> [1] (in Spanish)* *Share this post:* ------------------------------ Article printed from Havana Times.org: *http://www.havanatimes.org* URL to article: *http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=82579* URLs in this post: [1] *Fernando Ravsberg**: *http://cartasdesdecuba.com/* [2] Image: *http://www.linkwithin.com/* [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe: <mailto:[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe: <mailto:[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Digest: <mailto:[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Help: <mailto:[email protected]?subject=laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post: <mailto:[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive1: <http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive2: <http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yahoo! 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