Performance, Power, and Resistance: Theorizing the Links among Stigma, Sexuality, and HIV/AIDS in Cuba

• Published in: Cuban studies 2011-01, Vol.42, p.199-217
• Main Author: HIPPE, JANELLE
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; AIDS; Bisexuality; Butler, Judith; Castro, Mariela; Cuba; Cultural Pluralism; Education; Epidemics; Equality; Foucault, Michel; Gay rights; Gays & lesbians; Gender identity; HIV; Homophobia; Homosexuality; Human immunodeficiency virus; Male homosexuality; Males; Men; Motivation; Multiculturalism & pluralism; Patriarchy; Political revolutions; Resistance; Rhetoric; Risk; Sex; Sex education; Sexuality; SEXUALITY AND POWER; Social stigma; Socialism; Stigma; Stigmatization; Values
• ISSN: 0361-4441; 1548-2464
• DOI: 10.1353/cub.2011.0016

Although the prevalence of HIV infection in Cuba remains among the lowest in the world, recent data suggest that the rate of infection has risen sharply since 1996, particularly among men who have sex with men. A key factor that creates conditions of risk among homosexual and bisexual men in Cuba is the stigmatization of homosexuality, a mechanism that drives the epidemic underground and poses obstacles to targeted educational efforts. This article examines and theoretically contextualizes both the devaluation of homosexuality in Cuba and recent efforts to promote sexual diversity and to create inclusive spaces for HIV education. Drawing in particular on the theoretical work of Judith Butler and Michel Foucault, I argue that in early postrevolutionary Cuba, the fusion of patriarchal machista values and authoritarian socialism heightened the stigmatization of homosexuality because, in such a context, challenges to the symbolic laws of patriarchy also posed challenges to revolutionary rhetoric. Recent efforts to destigmatize homosexuality, led in particular by the National Center for Sex Education (El Centro Nacional de Educación Sexual, or CENESEX) and its director, Mariela Castro, have not only contributed to HIV educational efforts; the destigmatization of homosexuality is also important to moving the revolutionary goal of equality toward meaningful realization. Mientras la incidencia de VIH en Cuba se mantiene entre la más baja del mundo, datos recientes sugieren que ha aumentado de forma significativa desde 1996, especialmente entre hombres que tienen sexo con hombres. Un factor clave que crea las condiciones de riesgo entre hombres homosexuales y bisexuales en Cuba es la estigmatización de la homosexualidad como mecanismo que pone soterránea la epidemia y obstaculiza los esfuerzos educativos dirigidos. Este artículo examina y contextualiza teóricamente tanto la devaloración de la homosexualidad en Cuba como los esfuerzos recientes para promover la diversidad sexual y crear espacios inclusivos para la educación sobre VIH. Refiriéndome en particular al trabajo teórico de Judith Butler y Michel Foucault, sostengo que en los primeros años de la revolución, la fusión de valores patriarcales machistas y un socialismo autoritario agudizo la estigmatización de la homosexualidad ya que desafíos a las leyes simbólicas del patriarcado fueron también desafíos a la retórica revolucionaria. Los esfuerzos recientes para de-estigmatizar a la homosexualidad, encabezado