Philippines elects first transgender politician

The Commission on Elections on Wednesday proclaimed Geraldine Roman (in photo) winner of Monday’s election in the first district of northern Bataan province. (Facebook photo)

MANILA, Philippines—The first transgender politician elected in the Philippines says she hopes her win in a congressional race shows that people like her can contribute to nation-building in a country where LGBT people are still sometimes publicly ridiculed.

The Commission on Elections on Wednesday proclaimed Geraldine Roman winner of Monday’s election in the first district of northern Bataan province.

Roman, who takes over a congressional seat previously occupied by her mother, says she is happy to have survived the humiliation and attacks on her gender by political opponents during the campaign.

The former editor of a Spanish news agency says she hopes her story will inspire the LGBT community and show the need for compassion in society.