Bianca’s Story

Gender/Sexuality:  female & trans

Pronouns:  she/her/hers

Current home: Northern Virginia

From: Manila, Philippines

Cultural Background/Identity: Asian American

My name is Bianca, and I am a proud transgender Filipina-American.  My journey has been shaped by the intersections of culture, gender, advocacy, and community. I was born in the Philippines, where traditional gender roles are deeply entrenched and visibility for transgender people remains limited. Growing up, I often felt out of place – torn between the expectations of my family, the pressures of cultural conformity, and the quiet, but persistent knowledge of who I truly was.

Coming out as transgender was not a single moment, but a series of unfolding truths that I had to learn to embrace with both courage and tenderness. My Filipina identity deeply informs my sense of self; it grounds me in resilience, in bayanihan (community support), and in the enduring strength of the women in my family who taught me to lead with heart.

Today, I serve as the Executive Director of Trans Pride Washington DC, where I work alongside an incredible team of individuals to uplift and empower the transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive community. Our work centers around celebration, learning, networking, healing, and justice. We create spaces where trans people – especially Black, Brown, and immigrant trans folks – can show up as their full selves and be met with love, resources, and affirmation.

I am also honored to have served as the first transgender co-chair of AQUA DC, the oldest Asian and Pacific Islander LGBTQ+ organization in the nation’s capital. That role was not just a milestone for me personally – it was a symbol of the change I hope to see across all our communities. Being the first trans person in that leadership position meant carving out space where there wasn’t one before, and holding the door open for others to step into their power as well.

This work is personal. Every event we plan, every conversation we spark, and every voice we amplify feels like a reclamation of the childhood I didn’t get to have and the future I want to help create.  As someone with an immigrant background, I understand what it’s like to navigate multiple worlds, none of which always feel like home. That’s why building inclusive and culturally competent spaces for trans people is at the heart of what I do.

Beyond activism, I’m also a wife, a friend, and someone who finds joy in the little things:  Filipino food, shopping, hiking, spending time with our dog, Myka and my husband, karaoke nights, and reconnecting with my heritage through language and family. My gender expression is not about fitting into a mold, but about honoring all the parts of me that have been told they don’t belong. I wear my identity with pride, not because it’s always been easy, but because I’ve earned every piece of who I am.

Being trans isn’t just about transition – it’s about transformation, about truth-telling, and about living a life that is fully mine. I believe our identities are fluid and evolving, and that our stories are powerful tools for change. This is mine. And I’m grateful to share it.