Model, advocate and transgender woman Geena Rocero has launched Gender Proud, a campaign advocating for transgender rights, in the Philippines. Rocero, a professional model in New York City, is returning to her home country to discuss these important issues.
Gender Proud’s goals are to advocate for policies that allow transgender individuals to change their names and gender markers without having to go through surgery. The organization will also raise the voices of individuals in the transgender community.
In an interview with Rappler.com, Rocero said, “We are trying to create a global unified messaging for why it is important for countries all over the world to adapt new policy in gender recognition law. What we’re trying to propose is for countries for individuals to be allowed to gender their name and gender marking on legal documents without being forced to go through surgeries, forced sterilizations or other demonizing barriers.”
Rocero shared her story in a moving TED2014 video.