Two-thirds of the Cuban population on September 25 voted in a referendum for a new Family Code that recognizes same-sex marriage and allows gay adoption, and legalizes surrogacy, reports the BBC.
These are important changes for Cuba, where gays were persecuted and sent to labor camps in the 1960s and 70s. Among religious groups and conservatives, such changes caused considerable resistance. However, the Cuban government supported the amendments.
Earlier, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel called the amended code "a fair, necessary, up-to-date and modern law that provides rights and guarantees to everyone," the DW president was quoted as saying.
Changes have been made to the Family Code, which has been in force since 1975. It introduced a new definition of the family as the union of "two people", regardless of their gender. Homosexual couples are allowed to adopt. In addition, surrogate motherhood without monetary compensation is now legalized in the country. Eight million voters aged 16 and over had the opportunity to vote on the issues put to the referendum.