During the 2009 World Day for the Fight Against Homophobia, a group of gays, transvestites and transsexuals celebrated by singing and dancing in carnival style in downtown Havana. Until very recently this sort of behavior would have been unthinkable. But thanks to the leadership provided by Mariela Castro the climate has changed.

Mariela Castro (daughter of Raul Castro, President of the Republic) is the President of the National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX), a leading institution in the promotion of the rights of sexual minorities, especially transvestites and transsexuals. With Global Fund support, CENESEX health workers promote HIV prevention with an emphasis on gender education.