26-year-old Ely Malik Reyes became Cuba's first transgender athlete, competing in martial arts.

26-year-old Ely Malik Reyes made history as Cuba's first transgender athlete, competing in the male 60/65-kg category of sanda, a martial arts sport. This marks a significant step in inclusivity for LGBTQ individuals in Cuba, one of Latin America's most progressive countries. Despite the progress, Reyes still faces challenges such as medication shortages, legal barriers in changing his ID, and societal prejudice.

June 29, 2024
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