Outreach to Latin American academics in San Francisco

Left to right: Derek Liecty, Yasmin Portales, Doug Litwin

On 25 May 2012, FGG Honorary Life Member Derek Liecty and FGG Officer of Marketing Doug Litwin attended part of the 2012 conference of the Latin American Studies Association (LASA) held in San Francisco.

An organization of more than 7,000 members, 45% of whom reside outside the United States, LASA brings together experts on Latin America from all disciplines and diverse occupational endeavors, across the globe. Their mission is to foster intellectual discussion, research, and teaching on Latin America, the Caribbean, and its people throughout the Americas, promote the interests of its diverse membership, and encourage civic engagement through network building and public debate.

Armed with FGG and Gay Games 9 materials, Derek and Doug were hoping to meet Mariela Castro, the director of the Cuban National Center for Sex Education in Havana and an activist for LGBT rights in Cuba. She also happens to be the daughter of Cuban president Raúl Castro and the niece of former president Fidel Castro. Her group campaigns for effective AIDS prevention as well as recognition and acceptance of homosexuality, bisexuality, transvestism, and transsexual human rights. 

While Ms. Castro had appeared at other events in town, she was not in attendance at the 25 May reception. Seizing the moment, Derek and Doug attended a “Human Sexualities” reception for LASA members during which they met numerous interesting individuals from such places as Mexico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, and numerous US universities. Among those was Yasmin Portales from Cuba (see photo), a well-known Marxist feminist blogger. Since Yasmin knows Mariela Castro, she offered to pass along the FGG and Gay Games 9 materials to the President’s daughter, with the goal is to ensure the participation of Cuban athletes and artists in Gay Games 9 in 2014.