Asociación Cubana de Homosexuales y Lesbianas

• Gay and Lesbian Association of Cuba
• ACHL

The Cuban Association of Homosexuals and Lesbians was an independent organization that fought for the unification and social recognition of LGBTI+ and HIV-positive people throughout the 90s in Cuba. Two of its known accomplishments were the publication of the clandestine newsletter “Huellas” (1993-c.1996) and the public reading of the organization's manifesto on July 1994.
The organization was based in Havana and was led by Andrix Gudin Williams. Another of its members, Jorge Flores, was interviewed by the gay U.S. magazine “The Advocate” and stated: “The government will never permit a gay organization in Cuba […] A small minority of the group wanted the project to go ahead, but the majority had an enormous fear-a fear that only gay Cubans can feel. I certainly don't want to be the leader, because they will cut my head off. You see, I don't mince words: They will cut my head off."
The Manifesto of the ACHL was published in English by gay Canadian historian Ian Lumsden in his book “Machos, maricones and gays: Cuba and homosexuality”. According to Lumsden’s transcription, the manifesto was publically read on July 28, 1994 at 5:00 P.M. at Almendares Park. It calls upon listeners to remember those who were discriminated for their gender expression and sexuality since the U.M.A.P. camps; it highlights the importance of making laws to fight homophobia and serophobia; and asserts that the state should not make moral judgements, only juridical ones.
The ACHL dissolved few years after and some of its members joined the Action Group for Free Expression of Sexual Choice or G.A.L.E.E.S. (original Spanish acronym).

Description prepared by Librada González Fernández, July 2024.

Lumsden, I. (1996). Machos, maricones, and gays: Cuba and Homosexuality. Temple University Press. https://doi.org/10.3362/9781899365852