International Day Against Homophobia: Cuba Celebrates Diversity With Transvestite Beauty Pageant (PHOTOS)

Cubans celebrated their nation's newfound sense of sexual diversity Saturday with a glamorous transvestite show that, judging from the resulting photographs, left its audience members dazzled.

Now in its second year, Miss Trasvesti 2011's sinewy contestants strutted down a runway in sequined evening gowns and stiletto heels to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, which itself was marked with a colorful parade and other events throughout Havana.

The gender-bending event showed just how far Cuba has come since the 1960s and 1970s, when gays reportedly lost jobs, were imprisoned or fled to exile. As the AP is reporting, Fidel Castro’s niece Mariela is an active gay and lesbian advocate, and also heads the government-backed National Sexual Education Center.

View photos of the Miss Trasvesti pageant below:

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No way Glamorous!

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Comments

[dbrett480]

03:42 PM on 06/02/2011

I guess Cuba has no issues with transgender people; as long as their political beliefs fall in line.

[PRONESE]

06:01 AM on 05/20/2011

The winner gets their prison sentence commuted to a work farm.
More Coffee...
R/ PRONESE

[BeamMeUpScottie]

01:30 AM on 05/20/2011

Are political and thought prisoners in Cuba allowed to have a pageant too?.

[JBDenver]

05:39 PM on 05/19/2011

Instead of celebrating diversity with a drag queen pageant in the US...

I'd rather have us celebrate those who are high achievers in math, science and economics.

[carmenalex]

07:29 PM on 05/19/2011

We CAN have both you know...No one is forcing YOU to celebrate...but I can celebrate whatever I please. And I can celebrate both.

[JBDenver]

05:35 PM on 05/19/2011

Does stereotypcial behavior lead to stereotyping...or is it the other way around.

I think we should have a pageant featuring all the home wreckers who have been banging politicians in the States...(not that the men involved didn't behave badly and deserve all the ire they can get).

And after the main event host a "cutest baby" contest too.

[carmenalex]

08:55 PM on 05/19/2011

I love drag queens...not all gay men are drag queens...not all drag queens are gay...but maybe thats too much for you to wrap your head around.
Speaking as a straight woman, I love these pageants and have attended several. Also stand up comedy acts etc...I've enjoyed them immensely.

So called "homewreckers" can sleep with whomever they please...it's the men who make the pact not to cheat...the women have no such pact unless they themselves are cheating. The sole responsible for the wrecking of the home is the person who willingly cheats. If my husband cheats on me..he will be the sole recipient of my anger and disdain. The woman should not matter, anything about her would be immaterial.

[JBDenver]

05:32 PM on 05/19/2011

Next Fidel will be making a guest appearance on the show "Glee". Hooray for progress!

[bobby cormier]

10:39 AM on 05/20/2011

i'd like to see fidel on "glee." that would be cool.

[JBDenver]

11:17 AM on 05/20/2011

I'd probably watch that episode too.

However, he was spotted in Chicago this week trying to get tickets for the Oprah finale. He mentioned something about wanting to win a VW Bug.

[Theresa N]

03:26 PM on 05/19/2011

Wouldn't it be great if our government was as progressive in this area as Cuba's? I remember hearing about the old days when LGBT folk in Cuba were persecuted. Hopefully our politicians will see this and think even a so called "repressive" regime can be open, why can't we? Cuba puts us to shame with this.

[Gneirre]

02:16 PM on 05/19/2011

I want my makeup done by any one of them!!!

Third World country showing more progression than the US.

[Studebaker Hawke]

11:47 AM on 05/19/2011

When I saw the first slide, I thought it was going to be an article about the Kardashians again...

[retour]

09:19 PM on 05/19/2011

but then you realized that the person in the slide looked more human and less artficial...I can see your point

[Godweiser]

01:30 AM on 05/19/2011

I think Raul and Fidel like to show off how far ahead of the US they are. Considering what Chrissy Lee Polis got in a Rosedale McDonald's, this country has a ways to go. Maybe once May 21st happens, we'll have an easier time, since that's supposedly when most of the problems in this country vanish in thin air.

[youguyscrackmeup]

04:55 PM on 05/18/2011

wow moderators, you allow some people to spew pure hate but won't allow my comments. What, Are you afraid of offending these people?

[youguyscrackmeup]

04:26 PM on 05/18/2011

fab! love them!

[AGooglyMinotaur]

04:08 PM on 05/18/2011

Cuba's such a fascinating country... I'm glad Castro apologized for the historical persecution of homosexuals in Cuba. He's really mellowed in his old age and he's said some wise things recently.

I highly recommend the movie Strawberry and Chocolate by Tomas Gutierrez Alea, by the way.

[ibflyin27]

10:42 AM on 05/18/2011

They're all FIERCE!

[Alex Lemmel]

09:33 AM on 05/18/2011

Is this why Americans can't travel to Cuba?