Just for the record Castro apologised for his treatment of gays While this doesn t mean that what he did was all fine now it shows that he is at least remorseful and has stopped persecuting people based on their sexuality In 1992 he told a Sandinista official I m not going to deny that at a certain point this machista thing influenced the approach that was taken toward homosexuality I personally you are asking me my personal opinion do not suffer from this type of phobia against homosexuals Truly in my mind that s never been there and I have never been in favor nor have I promoted homosexuality nor have I supported laws against homosexuality I don t see homosexuality as a phenomenon of degeneration but rather I see it in another way The approach has been of another sort a more rational approach considering the tendencies and natural things of the human being who simply must be respected This is the philosophy with which I view these problems I think that there has to be consideration shown toward the family that suffers these situations I would hope that the families would have another mentality that they would have another approach when something of this sort happens I am absolutely opposed to any form of repression disdain contempt or discrimination with respect to homosexuals That s what I think 12 15 Aug 19 2004 UTC