[Quote]:

Fidel Castro has said that he is ultimately responsible for the persecution suffered by homosexuals in Cuba after the revolution of 1959.

The former president told the Mexican newspaper La Jornada that there were moments of great injustice against the gay community.

"If someone is responsible, it’s me," he said.

In the 1960s and 70s, many homosexuals in Cuba were fired, imprisoned or sent to “re-education camps”.

Mr Castro said homosexuals had traditionally been discriminated in Cuba, just as black people and women.

But, nevertheless, he admits he didn’t pay enough attention to what was going on against the gay community.

“At the time we were being sabotaged systematically, there were armed attacks against us, we had too many problems,” said the 84-year-old Communist leader.

[Quote]:

[Here] we have an 80+ year old guy, who has actually learned. Who at this late age, has developed. Someone, who has no incentive to develop, because he’s worshiped as a demigod. It wasn’t bitter necessity that forced his insights. His admission, nonetheless is something pretty unusual. Sure, he’s still trying to shift blame and is not abjectly on his knees, but this is quite extraordinary. He’s actually risen above his upbringing and old prejudices.

What then are we to make of politicians in the U.S., who are younger by decades, who grew up in a much more free society, who have the benefit of experience that is not being suppressed in a totalitarian system – what are we to make of those politicians who are less enlightened today, today, than an old tyrant on a small island, politicians who practice active homophobia?