Born into rural poverty in Cuba, in 1959 he became part of the revolution that brought Castro to power. Moving to Havana in 1961, Arenas worked as a researcher, editor and journalist for a literary magazine. His first novel Celestino antes del alba (1967) was his only book published in Cuba. When the Castro regime began to openly persecute homosexuals he rejected the revolution. As his writings grew increasingly critical, he was no longer allowed to publish on the island. His second and best-known novel, El Mundo alucinante (1969) had to be smuggled out of the country and published abroad. During the mid 1970s Arenas spent three years in prison for his writings and open homosexuality. Coming to the U.S. as part of the Mariel boatlift, he settled in New York and began writing furiously. In 1980 he published the novel Old Rosa. Farewell to the Sea — a manuscript once confiscated by the Cuban government — followed in 1982. The collection of essays and lectures Necesidad de liberdad (1986), was followed by Graveyard of the Angels (1987) and The Doorman (1988). Suffering from AIDS and too sick to continue writing, Arenas committed suicide in 1990. In a farewell letter to the Miami newspaper ‘Diario las Americas’ he wrote, “My message is not a message of failure, but rather one of struggle and hope. Cuba will be free. I already am.” By the time of his death this passionate activist/writer had completed nine novels, an autobiography – scores of poems, plays, and short stories, and dozens of political and literary essays. Among his posthumously published works were Journey to Havana (1990) and the autobiography Before Night Falls (1992) which was made into an Academy-Awarding nominated film in 2000.
The Legacy Project recognizes the many roles Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered people have played in the advancement of world history and culture. “THE LEGACY WALK” – the only outdoor International GLBT History Museum in the World – is coming to North Halsted Street in Chicago to be dedicated on October 11, 2011.
For information, to donate or to volunteer, go to www.legacyprojectchicago.org
