Q&A with María Bolaños, Precinct 2's Community Relations Manager

1. Describe your role with Precinct 2.

I am the Community Relations Manager for Precinct 2, and I also serve as the Community Liaison for the Second Ward and Near Northside communities.

2. What do you like most about your role?

Making people happy! You see when residents of Precinct 2 contact our office, 99.9 percent of the time it’s because they have an issue or a complaint that needs to be resolved. My goal is to resolve that issue and, that at the end of our conversation, they have a smile on their face.

3. What does pride month mean to you, and why do you think the community must understand its significance?

It reminds me of the long way the LGBTQ+ community has come to prove that we are good, responsible, law-abiding citizens and an asset to this society. When I was growing up, it was not accepted to be openly gay; that’s why we used to be “closeted.” We still have much work to do to make some understand gender dysphoria, or when someone feels their biological sex does not match their gender identity. The condition affects many transgender people before they transition to their authentic selves.

4. Who are some of your favorite LGBTQIA+ icons or role models?

Mayor Anise Parker comes to mind.

5. How can we be better allies throughout the year, not just during Pride Month?

Understanding and helping us educate our families and friends that we do not choose to be this way. We are born this way.