Q&A with Alexa Rodriguez
LHP April's Newsletter InformateDC
Alexa, could you tell us a bit about
yourself? Where are you from? What motivated you to come to DC?
Well I’m a 37 year old transgender woman, and I’m originally
from Usulután El Salvador. I arrived to Maryland, on January 2009. 12 years ago
I converted and have been an activist looking out for the rights of HIV+ people
and the Trans community. That’s what I’ve been doing here almost the entire
time I’ve been in this country.
What motivated to come to DC was the fear of living in my
country, then and now, with transphobia. Since I was an activist I was afraid
to continue in my native city, since the authorities and laws in my country
don’t really protect us. Even if there are protections written on papers, they
don’t protect us. Here I found liberty after been awarded political asylum
because of my sexual identity.
What are you doing now?
After working as a volunteer, and meeting a lot of beautiful
people in the area, today I am the Youth Center Transgender Program Coordinator
at Empodérate! Youth
Center, from La Clínica del Pueblo.
How did you decide to work at
Empodérate! Youth Center?
After doing a lot of training thanks to Identity Inc. (my
former job), and Empodérate!, and receiving a lot of support from my own
community, La Clínica del Pueblo opened this new position in the center. I was
chosen among many people who applied for the position, which I now very
thankfully hold; I plan to give all of me for the betterment of the Trans
community.
Which are some of the services
offered by Empodérate!?
Empodérate! is a youth center for Trans and Gay Latinos
between the ages of 18 to 29, including their partners and friends.
We offer:
·
HIV testing every day: Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00
PM, and Tuesday and Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The testing is
completely free and confidential.
·
Weekly meeting for Gay or Bisexual guys and
Trans girls.
·
Individual counseling.
·
Social activities
·
Leadership retreats
·
Movie nights
·
Dance and sewing classes
·
Sport activities and physical conditioning
·
Monthly birthday celebrations
·
Community participation
·
Reference services
How does it feel to be an example to
the HIV community? or, How does it feel to be an example to other Transgender
people with HIV?
Well I feel honored, because a lot of the HIV+ girls don’t
feel comfortable talking to me, and in some way my personal and professional
experience allows them to move forward when they lose hope. I always talk about
my arrival to the clinic as a client for the HIV+ services, and how now I’m
part of the staff. I’m proud of being able to serve my community after the
clinic served me.
What would you say to your 21
year-old self?
At that age I
was diagnosed with HIV. I would tell myself that life is beautiful, and that we
have to live it responsibly. That we shape our own destiny, and we should never
give up. There is always someone ready to help.
How does it feel to work with Latino
LGBT GLBT History Project?
It’s a great opportunity to let my ideas flourish. Even if
sometimes I have very crazy ideas, they are always heard. I felt welcomed since the moment I started
collaborating with José Gutierrez, and also today under the leadership of David
Pérez. I always feel that they listen and respect me. The call is for all of us
and anyone that wants to join. The doors are always open to all Trans girls.
How was living in El Salvador?
It was very exciting to working for the LGBT HIV+ community.
I grew a lot as an activist, and I learned a lot from my HIV+ sisters and
brothers. They are still in my thoughts and life plans.
At the same time, the uncertainty of not having the
government’s and the authorities’ protection made me live with fear. Today
there are a lot of organizations that have done a lot, but there is a lot more
to be done. I have to put my two cents from where I am, so that someday we can
live free in El Salvador.
Given the opportunity, how would you
work with the Gay community?
Work to unify all of the communities, I believe that unity makes
strength...!
And keep creating always more youth leaders so that they can continue
our work.
