Time honors transgender lawmaker for inspiring story

Time magazine has recognized Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman as among 13 “female leaders who have inspired us this year.”

She was cited in an article published in Motto, the magazine’s online subsidiary, last Tuesday in celebration of International Day of the Girl.

The article was titled, “These 13 Women Inspired Us in 2016.” Its subtitle: “From Beyonce to Geraldine Roman, the Philippines’ first transgender congresswoman.” Its authors were Kate Samuelson and Suyin Haynes.

“In a nation with a history of hostility to the LGBT community, Geraldine Roman’s success as the first transgender congresswoman to be elected in the Philippines is truly inspiring. Roman ran for the House seat that was previously occupied by her mother and won with 62 percent of the vote in May this year,” the authors wrote.

“Since being elected, she has lobbied persistently for an anti-discrimination bill and campaigned for greater LGBT rights,” they said.

They quoted Roman as saying, “Recognizing our rights and dignity will in no way diminish yours. We are not asking for special privileges or extra rights. We simply ask for equality. With inclusiveness and diversity, our nation has so much to gain.”

In a statement, Roman’s office said she “is humbled and honored to be part of a list citing inspiring women all over the world.”

“This list is such a privilege to be part of, as it includes women who are accomplished in their fields of expertise; women such as US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, global entertainers Beyonce and Solange Knowles, Olympians Simone Biles and Michelle Carter, among other great women,” it said.

It said Time recognized Roman for her passionate advocacy against discrimination based on sexual preference and gender identity.