Bamby Salcedo has overcome obstacles to battle the virus she contracted over 15 years ago. She now plays a huge role in AIDS activism. "I am empowered and I am a miracle," she said.
Bamby Salcedo radiates her beauty, inside and out.
Bamby Salcedo does not just sit in a corner; her work as an HIV-positive manager with BIENESTAR focuses on advocating for Transgender Latina Women around HIV/AIDS in the city of Los Angeles and around the state of California.
"HIV/AIDS is one of the main things that attacks the transgender community. We are not able to get jobs or get educated. As a result, we get pushed into doing drugs. We get pushed into doing sex work. The majority of transgender people I know are sex workers. There's not really another option. I was one of them."
"HIV is my shadow. Everywhere I go, it's right there."
Bamby's sister is an incredibly important part of her life as she has been a constant source of support for Bamby.
"There is no cure for HIV. It's always with me. I have learned to deal with it the best I can and speak out about it, so the transgender community can be acknowledged."
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Bamby Salcedo Photographer: Cristina Coleman-Rosa Journalist: Emily Feldstein
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Text from our piece:
"HIV/AIDS is one of the main things that attacks the transgender community. There is a lack of opportunity in our society. We are not able to get jobs or get educated. As a result, we get pushed into doing drugs. We get pushed into doing sex work. The majority of transgender people I know are sex workers. There's not really another option. I was one of them. In order to eat and have a place to live, you need to get money somehow. You have to do sex work. That's one of the major struggles, along with discrimination. There is also violence against us, either verbal or physical. There are people who have been killed just for being who they are, because of other people's phobias.
When the gay rights movement started, the transgender community initiated the fight. Gradually, over 20 years, our community was pushed to the side by the gay community. So we started to organize. We are doing things to empower ourselves, particularly in the Latina transgender community. We have been able to unite. To fight for what is right. For what we need and what we deserve. For what we should have. California is the state that has the most transgender-inclusive laws. But that is not to say that people don't often break the law. If you are trying to access services, you get discriminated against if you're transgender. The laws are there, but a lot of people don't even know about them.