Gay man, transexual woman marry in Cuba

CNN ^ | 8/13/2011 | Shasta Darlington

[Former Fetus]

Havana (CNN) -- The bride pulls up in a vintage American convertible and steps out in her frilly, rented gown. The crowds cheer as they throw rice in her direction.

"It's the happiest day of my life," she gushes.

But Wendy Iriepa is not your average bride. She is a male-to-female transsexual. Her groom, Ignacio Estrada, is a gay man who is a gay rights activist and outspoken dissident.

They are calling this the first gay wedding in Communist Cuba.

"It's a step forward for the gay community," Estrada told the throngs of foreign journalists and curious onlookers who crowded the steps to the local Marriage Palace.

The couple held the wedding on Fidel Castro's birthday as a way to raise awareness about gay rights.

"We want August 13th to be more than our wedding date," Estrada said. "It's also a song of freedom. It could mark a new beginning for the gay community."

[Former Fetus]

I never thought I would feel sorry for ole Fidel, but doing this on his birthday... LOL. I love it, especially because the State paid for the surgery!

Vivan los novios!

[calex59]

Well, I guess this queer got what he wanted, a man with a p***y.

[Fast Moving Angel]

Happy birthday, Fidel ... gaaag.

[nuconvert]

“It’s a step forward for the gay community,”

LoL. Yeah, but you’re still living in Cuba.

[max americana]

Huh? I guess the fag is still confused. Why not marry an actual woman instead of this...lame copy.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Former Fetus.

The couple held the wedding on Fidel Castro's birthday as a way to raise awareness about gay rights.

[aquila48]

See! Michael Moore was right.

This is more proof of how advanced cuba is compared to US.

[Méabh]

Why do so many gay activists think they can normalize homosexuality by making a freak show of it? For people put off by homosexuality, this kind of stuff just reinforces their disgust.

Also, am I the only one who notices the transsexual man/woman looks terribly underweight? It just illustrates what I've always felt about gender reassignment as a "cure" to loathing your healthy body: body dissatisfaction cannot be corrected with surgery. Sadly, this guy/gal will probably never stop mutilating himself until he realizes his thinking patterns are problematic, not his body.

[Uncle Miltie]

The whole geometry is so confusing.

[Cowboy Bob]

Maybe he just wanted a “wife” that enjoyed watching sports on TV, and drinking beer?

[longtermmemmory]

was there an official marriage license or is this one of those CNN BS stories?