Philippines Transgender Congresswoman to Address Diversity Leadership Forum

Then candidate Geraldine Roman campaigns in Orani, Bataan province, north of Manila on April 30, 2016. (Ted Aljibe/AFP/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, June 2, 2016 — Congresswoman Geraldine Roman, who recently became the first transgender politician to be elected in the Philippines, will deliver a keynote address at Asia Society's Diversity Leadership Forum on June 10, the organization announced. The Forum is a two-day conference on best practices in global diversity and leadership.

In May, 49-year Roman won a seat in the House of Representatives. Her victory is viewed as a breakthrough for LGBT community in a country that is considered traditionally Catholic and conservative, and where divorce, same-sex marriage and abortion are still illegal. Roman, a former journalist who speaks five languages and holds two Master's degrees, says she will champion equal opportunities under broader a platform.

Congresswoman Roman joins confirmed speakers like Tracy Doi, CFO of Toyota Motor Sales, USA; Royanne Doi, Chief Ethics Officer, Prudential; Jeff Yang, columnist and SVP at The Futures Company; and S. Shariq Yosufzai, Vice President, Global Diversity, Chevron.

Media interested in attending the event should email pr@asiasociety.org.