Skip to Content
AP National

Cuba’s first transgender athlete shows the progress and challenges faced by LGBTQ people

By
Published 10:02 PM

Associated Press

HAVANA (AP) — Ely Malik Reyes stepped onto the platform and began delivering powerful punches and spectacular flying kicks against his combatant. He lost the fight, but he won a major victory that day by becoming the first transgender athlete to officially compete in a Cuban sports league. Reyes, a 26-year-old transgender man, competed for the first time in the male 60/65-kilogram category of sanda, a demanding contact sport that blends martial arts like kung fu with kickboxing. The milestone marked the latest step toward inclusion for LGBTQ people in Cuba, where much progress has been achieved in the last years for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Article Topic Follows: AP National

Jump to comments ↓

The Associated Press

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KYMA KECY is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content