Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Roman
Hi Maria, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a 53-year-old Latina trans woman from Puerto Rico, I came to the United States at the young age of 16 and at the age of 18 I found myself navigating homelessness due to ongoing challenges my family had with accepting the fact that I was trans. As a result of that, I would navigate some of the same challenges young people continue to face today including housing and food insecurity, lack of access to employment and the ongoing, pervasive discrimination that trans people continue to face, not only in the United States but in the world. I was given an opportunity to give back to my community in 1998 as I became a health educator for an organization called Bienestar Human Services. The reason I would become involved is because a lot of my friends and people that I love were dying of HIV and I felt it was important for me to do something. In that opportunity I began to be able to give back to the community and I found my voice. People listened to what I had to say and it was the first time that I could really begin to articulate the challenges I was facing as a transgender Latina woman and the ongoing challenges that my people were also facing. Through this process I grew as an individual and professionally, however I still continue to deal with pervasive discrimination from people as I navigate life. I think people don’t understand how challenging it could be to walk through life as a transgender woman, you’re in constant fight or flight mode because you have to protect yourself. You’re always in defense mode but through this process I learned about the needs of my people. I was able to articulate how there needed to be a real change and investment in the lives of trans people.
I was given many opportunities not only with that first organization but I also began to work for APAIT soon after, as a health educator, then I would also become a risk reduction counselor and I would go to UCLA to become a drug and alcohol counselor. All these experiences have led me to my current position as the Vice President and Chief Operations officer for one of the largest trans-led organizations in the United States.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The challenges that transgender people continue to face are very similar to the ones that I faced as a young person. Housing insecurity, family rejection, lack of employment opportunities, resources, and programs that are intentional and provide tangible support, pervasive discrimination by a system created to have us living in the margins of society. However, the spirits of trans people are resilient and we continue to survive and thrive in the face of adversity and challenges. I feel very blessed that I’ve been able to overcome every challenge that has presented itself in my life and that those challenges have made me the strong person that I am today. The TransLatin@ Coalition’s priority is to address the challenges that people continue to face and create a pathway to a better reality for TGI people with more access to resources, programming and equity when it comes to overall well-being.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have always understood the privilege of holding this position and the responsibility that comes with my role. It is an amazing, full circle moment for me to stand in front of such a groundbreaking organization, making incredible changes in the lives of TGI people. I am blessed that I have found my passion, my calling and what really makes me feel alive to give back to my people. The TransLatin@ Coalition is the groundbreaking space that is safe for TGI people, affirming and is creating real tangible change. I am a miracle today because of the love and support of so many people I have met in my past. I am excited to see the growth of our organization as well as my personal growth and continue to make a real change in the lives of TGI people.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
People would be surprised that I was a linebacker on my football team in high school.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.translatinacoalition.org/maria-roman
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missmariaroman
- Other: https://civilandhumanrights.lacity.gov/maria-roman-taylorson
