By Genoa Barrow | OBSERVER Senior Staff Writer

Yanet (Jenny) R., Argelia H., "Gomez," Oyantay L., and Marlén, who are members of Afrodiverso, a community group that works to empower the LGBTQ community in Havana
We met Yanet (Jenny) R., Argelia H., “Gomez,” Oyantay L., and Marlén, who are members of
Afrodiverso, a community group that works to empower the LGBTQ community in Havana. Genoa Barrow and Louis Bryant III, OBSERVER

With the normalized use of expanded pronouns, the worldwide LGBTQ community continues to fight for their right to live in the skin they’re in.

During our recent visit to Cuba, we had the opportunity to meet and talk with members of Afrodiverso, an Afro-Cuban LGBTQ organization based in Havana. Through a translator, they spoke candidly about their lives, breaking down barriers and their fight to live how they want and love who they want. Among them were leader Argelia Fellove Hernandez, who spoke passionately about their work raising awareness; Yanet, who talked about her son’s unconditional love for her; and Gomez, a transgender man who talked about discrimination he has experienced while being out and open in Cuba.

Argelia Fellove Hernandez, the AfroCuban leader of Afrodiverso
Argelia Fellove Hernandez, the AfroCuban leader of Afrodiverso, stands for a portrait at dusk in front of the home/office of Afro-feminist Dr. Norma Rita Guillard Limonta. The group sells T-shirts featuring its logo to raise money and awareness for its cause. Genoa Barrow and Louis Bryant III, OBSERVER

Cuban voters in September overwhelmingly voted to pass the Cuban Family Code referendum. The historic vote, which included protections for the LGBTQ community, has been called “the most inclusive, progressive and revolutionary code in the world.” The law passed three months before the United States solidified protections of its own marriage equality rights with the Respect For Marriage Act. It gives the Cuban people the right to define family as they choose, legalizing same-sex marriage and allowing same-sex couples to legally adopt children. It prohibits discrimination based on identity and sexual orientation.

Afrodiverso members Argelia H. and Oyantay L. share a moment at the Cuban home of our host Kathryn Hall-Trujillo (right)
Afrodiverso members Argelia H. and Oyantay L. share a moment at the Cuban home of our host Kathryn Hall-Trujillo (right). The two reaffirmed their commitment to stand strong in their activism work and to pass on natural hair care knowledge they learned from Sacramento-based entrepreneur Akilah Hatchett-Fall. Genoa Barrow and Louis Bryant III, OBSERVER

Members of the Afrodiverso group also shared their desire to operate their own businesses and earn money for themselves and their cause.