At the dusk of September 25, the Cubans began to fall asleep into the next day, patiently anticipating to wake up into a new moment of history. Social life in Cuba was going to drastically change for all citizens, but this was the demand of ‘66.87%’ of the general population. This new change was the passing of the 2022 Cuba Family Code, a new code that “guarantees the right of all people to form a family without discrimination, legalizing same sex marriage and allowing such couples to adopt children. It allows for parental rights to be shared among extended and non-traditional family structures that could include grandparents, step parents and surrogate mothers. It also adds novelties such as prenuptial agreements and assisted reproduction.” (People’s Dispatch) These were the direct rights the code solidified, though several more legitimacies and expectations were cemented with the institutional social commentary in the code, “It boosts women’s rights, promoting equal sharing of domestic responsibilities and extending labor rights to those who care full-time for children, the elderly, or people with disabilities. It establishes the right to a family life free from violence; that values love, affection, solidarity and responsibility. It codifies domestic violence penalties, and outlaws' corporal punishment. It states that parents will have “responsibility” instead of “custody” of children, and be required to be “respectful of the dignity and physical and mental integrity of children and adolescents.” It also asserts that parents should grant maturing offspring more say over their lives. (People’s Dispatch)

Since the passing of the code, celebration has been in the air in Cuba. “Following the announcement of the preliminary results, thousands of Cubans took to social media networks to celebrate the ratification of the code. “Love is already a law,” “love, respect and unity won,” “Cubans voted with whole heart in favor of unity, socialism and revolution,” and similar resonant phrases flooded WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.” (People’s Dispatch) Keep in mind about 74.01%, or 6,251,786 of the total 8,447,467 eligible voters living in and outside Cuba took part in” the voting, [and] only about “1,950,090 or 33.13% of the votes” rejected the proposal.

The ratification and public glee were a culminating affair that followed after four years of referendums and ‘town-meetings’ to assure the drafting of the constitutional amendment was holistically considerate, formed, and consented by the diverse voices of the popular masses, though the process was supervised and outlined by representatives from civil society and the state; the whole process culminating to about, “79.93% of Cuban voters [for the New Code] participated in more than 79,000 meetings throughout Cuba [prior to voting]”

Once again socialism in Cuba is fulfilling the needs and desires of their people, making dreams come true in their nations despite being listed on the “State Sponsor of Terrorism List”. This event is a historical inspiration for the world audience, to boast even social scientist and commentators from the West are calling the New Family Code “the most progressive and inclusive IN THE WORLD.”(GAYSIFAMILY)

Viva Cuba!

Hasta La Victora Siempre !