Manila: Martha de la Paz, an outspoken trans woman, has shared her journey of embracing her identity and advocating for the rights of the trans community. She described her initial coming out as a gay boy during high school before fully recognizing her womanhood in college, emphasizing the importance of education, employment, and support from family and friends in her journey to self-expression and a career in public health.

According to UN Women, de la Paz began her professional career at the Philippine Department of Health, where she was welcomed and supported by her colleagues. Her experiences there helped her feel included, as they respected her use of the women’s restroom and her chosen name and pronouns. Her work at UNAIDS has brought her greater fulfillment, as she helps ensure that HIV services are accessible to the trans community.

De la Paz highlights the ongoing challenges faced by trans individuals, including microaggressions, online harassment, and public misgendering. She expresses anxiety about societal rejection and emphasizes the violence and discrimination that the trans community continues to face. Despite these struggles, she remains committed to advocating for policy changes and improving HIV services in collaboration with government counterparts.

As the Services for All Implementation Adviser at UNAIDS, de la Paz is actively involved in enhancing SOGIESC data collection and ensuring trans representation in decision-making. She stresses the importance of having multiple trans voices in influencing national policies and guidelines related to HIV response and health sector improvements. Reflecting on the 30th anniversary of the BPfA, she acknowledges the progress made but insists on the necessity of further advocacy for the SOGIESC Equality Bill, marriage equality, and institutional support for transgender health and social services.

De la Paz encourages trans people to unite and amplify their voices, advocating for equal rights and access to essential services. She calls for trans individuals to assert their presence and demand their rightful place in society, emphasizing that change starts with claiming their space and taking their seat at the table.