Sexual Politics in Cuba: Machismo, Homosexuality, and AIDS
Westview Press, Inc., 5500 Central Ave., Boulder, CO 80301-2877. 184p., bibliog., index. (Series in Political Economy and Economic Development in Latin America) ISBN 0-8133-8654-3. $47.50.
Marvin Leiner.
Cuba responded to AIDS as quickly as it could resulting in 9,771,691 people being tested by April, 1991 or almost the entire population. If one tested positive the individual was sent to one of 12 special sanatoriums with over 900 patients. As of the end of 1992, there were 159 individuals who developed AIDS with 119 of these having died. The Cuban philosophy is that in the "absence of a serious educational program on AIDS, the quarantine itself becomes a kind of collective safe sex program that requires that infected people remove themselves from society so society can remain untainted." This philosophy has preempted any consideration of alternatives to the sanatorium. They argue that the nationwide testing has kept AIDS at a very low level. The Cuban government also believes that "it is impossible to know which infected people can be trusted to behave responsibly, all must be treated as dangerous." Leiner cites many examples of what the Cuban population believe and are told by the government. It is sex education without any discussion. It is pointed out, however, that those who are in the sanatoriums are given excellent care and that the expense of caring for them is high. This is a well researched book that discusses sociological aspects of a country that has been under the control of one man for decades. It is interesting to read and frightening to see how an entire nation bends to the macho control of Castro. To this government, there is no alternative, only what is mandated by the leader. The sanatoriums may be successful but do they really speak to the real issue of sex education? Leiner thinks not: "The quarantine policy is representative of the crisis in Cuba today. Whatever solutions become possible, they preclude a political leadership that is so afraid of losing macho control that it hides its head in the sand and waits for the storm to pass." This is a highly recommended book for public and academic libraries.
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