I. Introduction: Legal Progress Meets Social Resistance 
Cuba has made significant legal strides in recognising the rights of LGBT citizens, most notably through the legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2022. This historic reform, passed via referendum, was hailed internationally as a milestone for equality in a country long associated with homophobia and repression. Yet despite these legal victories, LGBT Cubans continue to face widespread hostility in their daily lives. Deep-seated prejudice, social conservatism, and state control over activism mean that equality on paper has not translated into safety or acceptance in practice. 

II. Historical Legacy of Persecution 
Cuba’s history of persecuting LGBT citizens casts a long shadow over today’s reforms. In the 1960s and 1970s, homosexuals were subjected to forced labour camps under the infamous UMAP programme, where they endured abuse and re-education efforts. Although these policies were later abandoned, the stigma attached to LGBT identities persisted for decades, reinforced by both state policies and cultural attitudes. This legacy continues to shape the experiences of LGBT Cubans, even in the wake of new legal protections. 

III. Legal Recognition and Same-Sex Marriage 
The passage of the Family Code in 2022 represented a landmark achievement for LGBT rights in Cuba. The law not only legalised same-sex marriage but also granted adoption rights to LGBT couples, positioning Cuba as one of the more progressive countries in the region on paper. These reforms were celebrated as signs of modernisation and inclusivity, and they reflected years of activism by Cuban LGBT organisations. However, the referendum also revealed deep societal divisions, with significant opposition from religious groups and conservative sectors. 

IV. Social Hostility and Prejudice 
Despite legal reforms, LGBT Cubans face pervasive social hostility. Discrimination in schools, workplaces, and communities remains widespread, with many individuals experiencing bullying, harassment, or exclusion. Transgender Cubans, in particular, face high levels of violence and social rejection. These prejudices are compounded by limited public education on diversity and the strong influence of conservative religious organisations that oppose LGBT visibility and rights. 

V. Role of Religious Conservatism 
The opposition of religious institutions has played a significant role in sustaining hostility toward LGBT people. Both Catholic and Evangelical churches in Cuba mobilised against the Family Code, framing LGBT rights as threats to traditional values and national identity. While the government allowed debate around the referendum, religious influence exposed the strength of cultural conservatism, leaving LGBT citizens vulnerable to moral condemnation and social exclusion. 

VI. Police Harassment and State Control 
Although Cuba has legalised same-sex marriage, the state continues to exert control over LGBT activism. Independent marches or demonstrations are often prohibited, with police dispersing gatherings deemed unauthorised. Reports of police harassment and arbitrary detentions of LGBT activists persist, showing that legal recognition has not dismantled the authoritarian mechanisms used to control civil society. This tension between state-sanctioned reform and state repression reflects the contradictions of LGBT life in Cuba today. 

VII. Violence and Lack of Protection 
Violence against LGBT Cubans remains a serious concern. Transgender women are particularly targeted, facing physical assaults and sometimes fatal hate crimes. Despite these dangers, few cases are investigated thoroughly, and perpetrators often enjoy impunity. The absence of effective anti-discrimination and hate crime laws leaves LGBT citizens vulnerable despite the symbolic progress of marriage equality. 

VIII. Healthcare Inequalities 
Healthcare inequalities further complicate the lives of LGBT Cubans. Access to gender-affirming healthcare for transgender individuals is extremely limited, and those living with HIV/AIDS often struggle to access necessary medicines due to chronic shortages. The government’s neglect of these issues demonstrates the gap between legal recognition and the practical realities of healthcare and wellbeing for LGBT citizens. 

IX. Diaspora Perspectives 
Cuban LGBT migrants often highlight the contradictions of life on the island, where rights exist legally but not socially. Exiled activists stress that the reforms, while important, are insufficient without cultural transformation and protections against discrimination. Diaspora communities have become vocal advocates for greater international attention to the plight of LGBT Cubans, ensuring that their struggles are not overshadowed by celebratory narratives of reform. 

X. International Reactions 
The international community welcomed Cuba’s legal reforms but has remained critical of the persistence of social hostility and state repression. Human rights organisations continue to call for comprehensive anti-discrimination protections, freedom of assembly for LGBT groups, and accountability for violence. These calls underscore the need to move beyond symbolic victories and address the lived realities of LGBT citizens. 

XI. Resilience and Community Building 
Despite the obstacles, LGBT communities in Cuba remain resilient. Local organisations, often operating informally, provide safe spaces, support networks, and advocacy platforms. Cultural expressions—through art, theatre, and literature—also play a crucial role in challenging prejudice and raising awareness of LGBT experiences. These grassroots efforts highlight the determination of LGBT Cubans to claim space and visibility, even in a hostile environment. 

XII. Conclusion: Progress Without Safety 
Cuba’s legal recognition of LGBT rights, including same-sex marriage, represents an undeniable step forward. Yet for many LGBT citizens, these reforms remain symbolic victories overshadowed by pervasive social hostility and authoritarian restrictions. Until anti-discrimination protections are enforced, hate crimes addressed, and cultural prejudices confronted, LGBT Cubans will continue to live with fear and exclusion. True equality will require not only laws on paper but a transformation of society itself.