Maria Roman: Being Involved In Creating That Change

"Well, as a woman that has survived the street
I can assure you that this in fact is far from the truth…
we all have bigger dreams when we are children…
no one says as a child, 'when I grow up I want to walk the streets
selling my body to the best offer'"

Bambi Weavil: We became aware of you and your work in a great documentary Out Impact will be reviewing called Trantasia. How did you get involved with the pageant?

Maria Roman: I was at a club called 6979 in Hollywood doing outreach to the transgender community and disseminating information about HIV-AIDS along with condoms when I was approached by Jahna Steele, a famous transsexual and former Vegas showgirl. She gave me a brief description of the pageant and told me that it was going to be part of a documentary. I saw this as a great opportunity to be involved in a project that would allow me to showcase that beauty comes in many colors and shapes. It would also allow me the opportunity to continue spreading a message of empowerment and the importance of taking care of one's health.

BW: One of the reasons you stand out in the movie is your openness about helping transsexuals who are street hustling. What would be the most surprising thing people would know about people who believe they are forced in that environment that you feel isn't being said or shown?

MR: I believe that many people, trans and non-trans, believe that sex-work is an 'easy' choice and that people choose to do sex-work because it is the 'easy road'. Well as a woman who has survived the streets, I can assure you that this is far from the truth. We all have bigger dreams when we are children and no child says 'when I grow up I want to walk the streets selling my body to the best offer'. Somewhere in our journey of self discovery we are sidetracked and loose ourselves; doors continue to close and many of us find ourselves homeless and with no money to eat. In any case that was my life at 19 years of age. That is the reason I advocate for those women who continue to walk the streets with shattered dreams and without hope.

BW: You are very active in your Los Angeles community with AIDS Awareness. Why did you choose to get involved?

MR: I am a firm believer that the only way you can influence change is by being involved in creating that change. After I was married, had a career and was in a better place in my life, I decided it was time to give back to my community. For the first time in my life I felt so empowered when I could stand proud and speak for myself and for all those who were just like me. I was just one voice, but since I was still here and many of my friends had died to HIV, I had to get involved.

BW: Have there been any particular stories that have touched your heart since you've been working in AIDS activism?

MR: Working in my community I have seen how united my sisters and brothers have become. One story that really touched my heart was the tragic murder of Gwen Araujo. I was so devastated by the loss of someone so young who had the support of her family and had such a bright future ahead of her. I saw how the community in Los Angeles came together in the hundreds to march down the streets demanding justice. It is my believe that this was the catalyst for the current trans movement in Los Angeles that continues to go stronger.

BW: What are other non-profits that you support?

MR: I work with many agencies at a local and national level, however the closest to my heart is Bienestar Human Services. This is the groundbreaking organization which provided services to Latina Transgenders in Los Angeles before they had any funding and before it was done by anyone else. This was made possible thanks to the vision of its founder and one of our biggest allies Oscar De La O. I was the Program Manager for Transgeneros Unidas (Transgenders United) for over 5 years. The program continues today to empower trans woman through their support groups and services. They are truly at the forefront of the movement.

BW: How can people see you perform? What projects are you working on?

MR: I will be touring next year and continuing to do promotion for Trantasia. I am currently working on a reality show and also working in an upcoming film while continuing to be involved in advocacy. You can find all my appearances at myspace.com/mariathemost or by signing up for the Trantasia newsletter at www.trantasiathemovie.com.




	Maria Roman: Being Involved In Creating That Change "Well, as a woman that has survived the street I can assure you that this in fact is far from the truth… we all have bigger dreams when we are children… no one says as a child, 'when I grow up I want to walk the streets selling my body to the best offer'" Bambi Weavil: We became aware of you and your work in a great documentary Out Impact will be reviewing called Trantasia. How did you get involved with the pageant? Maria Roman: I was at a club called 6979 in Hollywood doing outreach to the transgender community and disseminating information about HIV-AIDS along with condoms when I was approached by Jahna Steele, a famous transsexual and former Vegas showgirl. She gave me a brief description of the pageant and told me that it was going to be part of a documentary. I saw this as a great opportunity to be involved in a project that would allow me to showcase that beauty comes in many colors and shapes. It would also allow me the opportunity to continue spreading a message of empowerment and the importance of taking care of one's health. BW: One of the reasons you stand out in the movie is your openness about helping transsexuals who are street hustling. What would be the most surprising thing people would know about people who believe they are forced in that environment that you feel isn't being said or shown? MR: I believe that many people, trans and non-trans, believe that sex-work is an 'easy' choice and that people choose to do sex-work because it is the 'easy road'. Well as a woman who has survived the streets, I can assure you that this is far from the truth. We all have bigger dreams when we are children and no child says 'when I grow up I want to walk the streets selling my body to the best offer'. Somewhere in our journey of self discovery we are sidetracked and loose ourselves; doors continue to close and many of us find ourselves homeless and with no money to eat. In any case that was my life at 19 years of age. That is the reason I advocate for those women who continue to walk the streets with shattered dreams and without hope. BW: You are very active in your Los Angeles community with AIDS Awareness. Why did you choose to get involved? MR: I am a firm believer that the only way you can influence change is by being involved in creating that change. After I was married, had a career and was in a better place in my life, I decided it was time to give back to my community. For the first time in my life I felt so empowered when I could stand proud and speak for myself and for all those who were just like me. I was just one voice, but since I was still here and many of my friends had died to HIV, I had to get involved. BW: Have there been any particular stories that have touched your heart since you've been working in AIDS activism? MR: Working in my community I have seen how united my sisters and brothers have become. One story that really touched my heart was the tragic murder of Gwen Araujo. I was so devastated by the loss of someone so young who had the support of her family and had such a bright future ahead of her. I saw how the community in Los Angeles came together in the hundreds to march down the streets demanding justice. It is my believe that this was the catalyst for the current trans movement in Los Angeles that continues to go stronger. BW: What are other non-profits that you support? MR: I work with many agencies at a local and national level, however the closest to my heart is Bienestar Human Services. This is the groundbreaking organization which provided services to Latina Transgenders in Los Angeles before they had any funding and before it was done by anyone else. This was made possible thanks to the vision of its founder and one of our biggest allies Oscar De La O. I was the Program Manager for Transgeneros Unidas (Transgenders United) for over 5 years. The program continues today to empower trans woman through their support groups and services. They are truly at the forefront of the movement. BW: How can people see you perform? What projects are you working on? MR: I will be touring next year and continuing to do promotion for Trantasia. I am currently working on a reality show and also working in an upcoming film while continuing to be involved in advocacy. You can find all my appearances at myspace.com/mariathemost or by signing up for the Trantasia newsletter at www.trantasiathemovie.com.			Meet Dillon, our special friend affected by HIV Ashley Judd, Global Ambassador for YouthAIDS YouthAIDS Global Ambassador, Ashley Judd's Asia Diary * Every day, 14,000 people contract HIV * 40.3 million people now live with HIV * AIDS kills one child every minute Featured Performer Raising Awareness for AIDS: Annie Lennox The Concept Behind "Sing": More Videos Please purchase "Sing" by clicking here Annie's Call to Action: More Videos Please purchase "Sing" by clicking here

	In Loving Memory - Some of Those We Lost to AIDS: Steven Bates, Bob Bendorff, Doug Boar, Joey Brunneti, Jay Burwick, Ray Coe, Keith Dodge, Doug Ermet, Gary Falardeau, Mark Fotopoulos, Jim Franks, Bill Graham, Jeffrey Grover, Jim Hankins, Frank Harper, Mike Hendricks, Frank Jackson, Jay Jackson, Pat London, Terence Maguire, John McLeod, Terry Peterson, Ron Pierson, Mark Pritchett, Steve Prokasky, John Richmond, Bill Robles, Steve Roher, Kenny Sasha, Jack Simmons, Randy Smith, Ted Smith, Jeffery Vogt...