Just for the record Castro apologised for his treatment of gays  While this doesnt 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  he told a Sandinista official  Im 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 thats never been there and I have never been in favor nor have I promoted homosexuality nor have I supported laws against homosexuality  I dont 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 Thats what I think