In a historic moment for both sports and LGBTQ rights in Cuba, Ely Malik Reyes became the first transgender athlete to compete in an official Cuban sports league. Reyes, a 26-year-old transgender man, participated in the male 60/65-kilogram (132/143-pound) category of sanda, a demanding contact sport that blends martial arts with kickboxing, on June 1.
Reyes’s participation in the Cuban Fighters League represents a significant step toward inclusivity in a country known for its progressive stance on LGBTQ rights. However, his journey has been fraught with challenges. Reyes has had to navigate the lack of accessible medications, restrictive laws regarding gender identity on official documents, and societal prejudice.
Overcoming Obstacles
Reyes’s path to competing in the male category was not straightforward. Despite having been on hormone therapy for two years, Reyes’s journey began over four years ago at Cuba’s Center for Sexual Education. There, he consulted with a psychologist, endocrinologists, and underwent numerous tests to obtain a “tarjetón,” a special card enabling the purchase of necessary medications.
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However, as Cuba’s economic crisis deepened, medications became scarce, forcing Reyes to rely on expensive testosterone imports from abroad. “I’m an athlete; I can’t neglect my hormone treatment. … I have to stay on top of it,” he said.
The struggle to change his gender on official documents added another layer of difficulty. Although Reyes legally changed his name last year, his ID still marks him as female due to a law requiring full genital reassignment surgery for gender marker changes—a procedure Reyes does not want.
Legal and Social Progress
There is hope on the horizon, as LGBTQ activists in Cuba anticipate a new Civil Registry law that could allow gender changes on ID cards without requiring surgery. This proposed law is part of broader changes stemming from Cuba’s 2019 constitution and the 2022 Family Code, which expanded rights for same-sex couples and recognized surrogacy pregnancies.
Despite these advancements, Reyes continues to face societal challenges. “Educating society doesn’t happen in two days,” he remarked, reflecting on the “suspicious looks” he sometimes receives.
The Path to Recognition
Reyes’s acceptance into the male category of the Cuban Fighters League was facilitated by his coach, Frank Cazón Cárdenas, and the Cuban Sports Institute. Cazón worked diligently to secure approval, discussing Reyes’s participation with team members and sports authorities. His efforts paid off, marking a pivotal moment for transgender athletes in Cuba.
“It’s something new; it’s a challenge that I have embraced with much love,” said Cazón, president of Cuba’s sanda community. The broader Cuban LGBTQ community also celebrated this milestone, viewing it as a culmination of long-standing efforts to achieve greater inclusivity in sports.
Francisco “Paquito” Rodríguez Cruz, a prominent LGBTQ rights activist in Cuba, highlighted the significance of Reyes’s achievement. “It was only a matter of time,” he said, emphasizing that this milestone is a logical progression of the advancements made over the past two decades. “It’s obviously a cultural process of change that is still controversial,” Rodríguez added.
The Road Ahead
Ely Malik Reyes’s journey as a transgender athlete in Cuba underscores both the progress and ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ community in the country. His story is one of resilience and determination, paving the way for future generations of athletes. As Cuba continues to evolve its legal and social landscape, Reyes’s participation in the Cuban Fighters League stands as a testament to the country’s commitment to inclusivity and equality.