Miami attorney to Rea Carey of Task Force: Meet with Mariela Castro, 'but please, not in a vacuum'

Miami attorney and gay rights activist David da Silva Cornell has written a column for Huffington Post headlined, Mariela Castro and LGBT Leader Rea Carey: Conversation, Yes -- But Please, Not in a Vacuum.

Da Silva Cornell writes about the controversial program Tuesday night at the New York Public Library, in which Castro, niece of Fidel and daughter of Raul, will discuss LGBT rights in Cuba with Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

He writes:

Moshe Dayan once noted, "If you want to make peace, you don't talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies." I believe that that observation is equally applicable if you want to encourage change by regimes which violate human rights. Refusing even to engage in dialogue with those with whom one disagrees never seems to yield results. I therefore cannot agree with those -- such as LGBT-ally Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) -- who wholly oppose Castro's visit and her participation in dialogues here.

Nor can I -- or, I think, any reasonable observer -- deny what positive impact Mariela Castro has had in improving the lives of LGBT Cubans.

Click here to read the complete Huffington Post article.

Comments

[Pedro A. Romanach]

While in the United States, Mariela Castro should be questioned as to why she supports a Communist dictatorship that has oppressed all Cubans, gay and straight, for more than fifty-three years now. In Communist Cuba, there is no freedom of the press, no freedom of speech, no freedom of expression, no freedom of assembly, etc. Those who are fawning over Mariela Castro are making absolute fools of themselves. From what I have heard, while in San Francisco, Mariela Castro was not asked why she supports the despicable Communist dictatorship in Cuba. Why not? Let's see what happens tonight in New York City.

[Pedro A. Romanach]

From everything I have heard, last night's Mariela Castro appearance in New York City was a disaster, just like her San Francisco appearance was. Mariela Castro went on and on, mouthing her propaganda. I've heard there was only one tough question from the mostly sympathetic (leftist or clueless as to what really is happening in Communist Cuba) audience. There were a few demonstrators outside. That was it. I am very disappointed. This is exactly what I was afraid would happen.

[Pedro A. Romanach]

Mariela Castro has avoided the press during her visit to the United States. The reason is obvious. She doesn't want to answer very legitimate, tough questions.