Geraldine Roman
| Geraldine Roman | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Bataan's First District | |
|
Assumed office June 30, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Herminia Roman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1967 (age 48–49) |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Political party | Liberal Party |
| Alma mater |
University of the Philippines University of the Basque Country |
| Profession | Journalist, politician |
Geraldine B. Roman (born 1967) is a Filipino journalist and politician. She was elected as the Representative of the 1st District of Bataan following the 2016 Philippine elections, becoming the first openly transgender woman elected to the Congress of the Philippines.[1][2][3]
Biography
Geraldine Roman was born in 1967[4] was the second of four children born into a political family, to Herminia Roman and Antonino Roman, Jr.[5] She spent her early childhood in Orani, Bataan.[4] She was teased by her classmates but her father taught her to be confident. [3]
Roman attended Ateneo de Manila University for her elementary and high school studies. For her collegiate studies, she attended the University of the Philippines. She managed to secure a scholarship to pursue journalism at the University of the Basque Country in Spain and attained two master's degrees.[6] She worked in Spain as a senior editor for the Spanish News Agency before returning to the Philippines in 2012 to take care of her father, who was seriously ill by that time.[3]
During the 2016 Philippine elections, Roman ran under the Liberal Party banner for the position of 1st District Representative for Bataan in the House of Representatives. The winner of the election was set to replace the incumbent Herminia Roman, Geraldine's mother, who was term-limited. She competed against Hermosa mayor Danilo Malana of Aksyon Demokratiko and won by more than 62% of votes and became the first ever transgender congresswoman in Philippine congress.[5]
She, along with other elected lawmakers collectively known as 'equality champs', launched the passage of the anti-discrimination bill on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.[7] She also filed bills regarding eco-tourism, livelihood enhancements, agriculture advancements, health, and education, which were the advocacies of her family and were focused on the first district of Bataan. She was named as one of the '13 Inspiring Woman of 2016' by Time in October 2016.[8][9]
Personal life
In the 1990s, Roman underwent sex reassignment surgery at age 26 in New York City and had her name changed. Her gender was also legally changed to the one she identifies with.[3][4] Roman's partner is a Spanish man in Spain, but they are not married.[10] She also speaks Spanish, French and Italian.[11] She is a practicing Catholic.[12]
References
- ↑ Robert Sawatzky (10 May 2016). "Philippines elects first transgender woman". CNN.
- ↑ Chen, Heather (10 May 2016). "Geraldine Roman: First transgender politician elected in the Philippines". BBC News. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 "Transgender politician poised for historic win in Catholic Philippines". Rappler. Agence France-Presse. 4 May 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
- 1 2 3 Patel, Romil (14 May 2016). "Meet Geraldine Roman, Philippines' first transgender Congress politician with 'a beautiful message'". International Business Times. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- 1 2 "Transgender bet worries which 'CR' to use in House". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Inquirer Central Luzon. 29 March 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
- ↑ Remoto, Danton (14 May 2016). "'The fabulous Geraldine Roman'". The Philippine Star. Lodestar. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ↑ http://www.rappler.com/nation/146686-emotional-roman-urges-congress-pass-anti-discrimination-bill
- ↑ http://motto.time.com/4526249/un-day-of-the-girl-inspiring-women-2016/
- ↑ http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/584726/lifestyle/geraldine-roman-joins-hillary-beyonce-on-list-of-inspiring-women-2016
- ↑ "Geraldine Roman on being the 1st transgender in Congress, beauty secrets, love, Duterte, Pope Francis & Pacquiao". The Philippine Star. May 29, 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2016.
I’m not married. I have a partner of 18 years. He’s a Spanish man, a former cameraman for TV
- ↑ Robinson, Julian (10 May 2016). "Transgender politician celebrates victory over 'bigotry, hatred and discrimination' after historic election win in the Philippines". Mail Online. Mail Online, Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
- ↑ "Geraldine Roman "Just another politician who happens to be transgender"". CNN. May 17, 2016. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
And while some see the influence of the church as a stumbling block, [Geraldine] Roman – a practicing Catholic – says she doesn't believe that to be true.