Daughter of acting Cuban President Raul Castro, Mariela Castro, made news today when she led a gay rights conga down the streets of Havana.

“We’re calling on the Cuban people to participate … so that the revolution can be deeper and include all the needs of the human being,” she said.

In the 1960s, Cuban homosexuals, seen by the government as products of capitalism, were sent to corrective labor camps. Since then, the regime has eased up its restrictions. Homosexuality was legalized in 1979. Though public display of affection between same-sex partners is still illegal, Havana has developed an active gay scene over the years.

The conga was sponsored by the Centro Nacional de Educación Sexual (CENESEX), which Mariela Castro heads. CENESEX, which educates Cubans about sexual topics including contraceptives and AIDS prevention, has become a champion of LGBT toleration. The center is primarily responsible for the passing of legislation in 2008 allowing citizens to receive free sex change operations.

Officially, no LGBT rights marches or organizations are permitted on the island. Mariela insists that Cuba has become a better place for gays, but as recently as 2004 Cuban police units have conducted anti-gay campaigns.

In his autobiography, My Life, Fidel Castro claims that homosexuals were never sent to internment camps. According to his explanation, they were sent to work on farms because they could not be called up for military service, then obligatory, without upsetting religious and other conservative groups. Gays also worked to build schools, churches, and hospitals.

Castro says this repression only lasted for three years and that homosexuals’ “meritorious role” in helping Cuba during the difficult times faced after the Revolution have earned them “the people’s gratitude and recognition.” He alleges that the Revolution has worked to overcome discrimination and prejudice.