25 September 2022
Cuba Approves Same-Sex Marriage by Referendum
Legal International
Cuban voters approved a new Family Code in a national referendum with 66.9% support, legalising same-sex marriage, same-sex adoption, and surrogate pregnancy. The code also strengthened protections against gender-based violence and gave grandparents legal rights. The reform was remarkable given Cuba's history of persecuting LGBTQ+ people, including the UMAP forced labour camps of the 1960s.
Impact & Significance
Represented a dramatic reversal of Cuba's historically repressive LGBTQ+ policies and demonstrated that popular support for marriage equality could be achieved through democratic referendum.
Reference Record
- Date
- 25 September 2022
- Era
- 2020-present
- Sources
- 2
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Questions This Event Helps Answer
Q When was same-sex marriage legalised in the UK? Same-sex marriage was legalised across the UK in stages, with England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland reaching implementation at different times. Q Which global LGBTQ+ legal wins changed rights? Major wins included decriminalisation in Mozambique, Belize, India, Botswana, Angola and Singapore, plus Thailand's marriage-equality law. Q Which global marriage and family recognition wins expanded LGBTQ+ rights? Key wins included Brazil, Colombia, Taiwan, Cuba, Mexico and Greece, each using a different legal route.
