• Submitted by: lena campos
• Politics and Government
• 05 / 16 / 2012

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The Cuban sexologist Mariela Castro, daughter of President Raul Castro and instigator of the crusade against homophobia on the island, got U.S. visa to travel to attend an academic conference in San Francisco this month, said a spokesman for the professional.

"Yes, they gave it (the visa) and fast enough," told to AFP the spokesman for the National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX), directed by Mariela Castro.

In Washington, the State Department would not confirm nor deny the visa because these are sensitive issues, according to U.S. law.

Mariela Castro will attend from 23 to 26 May in San Francisco, California (west), the XXX Congress of LASA (Latin American Studies Association), a professional group of researchers and institutions dedicated to studies in the region.

To the LASA Congress, will attend also a collaborator of the Cuban president's daughter, doctor Alberto Roque, who also obtained a visa.

Mariela Castro, 50 years and who participated Wednesday in the city of Cienfuegos (central-south of the island) in activities of the Cuban Day Against Homophobia, which she organizes, in San Francisco will participate in a panel on sexual diversity, as LASA sources.

U.S. rejects visa requests often to officials, academics and Cuban artists that should attend conferences or meetings of international organizations.

But President Barack Obama eased travel restrictions and exchange of professionals and artists who had imposed his predecessor George W. Bush, and significantly increasing the number of visits.

Source: Terra.com.mx