HAVANA — Cuba will hold a referendum on September 25 on whether to adopt a refreshed family law, which would include for the first time legalization of same-sex marriage and surrogate parenthood, the island nation’s parliament announced Friday.
“The final decision will be left in the hands of the people,” but “we are convinced that in due time, the majority of the Cuban people will endorse this revolutionary, inclusive and democratic code,” said the National Assembly’s secretary.
The new family law will replace legislation that has been in force for 47 years.
LGBTQ activists had attempted to include same-sex marriage in the Cuban Constitution when it was revised in 2019, but it was ultimately withdrawn due to strong opposition from certain churches and conservative groups.
If the referendum passes, Cuba will join seven other Latin American countries that allow same-sex marriage: Costa Rica, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay and most recently Chile.
Mexico’s federal capital authorized same-sex marriage in 2009, with the majority of its 32 states following suit.