Mariela Castro is head of Cuba’s National Center for Sex Education and was prominent in a gay rights march Saturday in Havana. She also repeated her praise for U.S. President Barack Obama’s remarks in favor of same sex marriage, saying the American leader’s words “have great value because of the influence they might have” on others.
Still, she says Obama needs to back his words with action. She notes there are no plans in the U.S. for federal legislation to mandate states to recognize such unions.
People wave a giant gay pride flag before the start of a parade marking the upcoming International Day Against Homophobia, in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, May 12, 2012. International Day Against Homophobia is celebrated globally on May 17 commemorating the World Health Organization’s declassification of homosexuality as a mental illness. (AP)