"Safe spaces can no longer be bound and limited to physical locations, but they must be found and created in each of us, allowing us to transcend the limitations of walls, rooms, and buildings."
MEDIA & PRESS
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Julio C. Roman is a nationally recognized LGBTQ+ leader, best-selling author, speaker, and cultural commentator whose work sits at the intersection of leadership, public health, identity, and social change.
2026
SELECTED AS A CENTERLINK LINEAGES LEADERSHIP FELLOW
Julio was selected for the CenterLink Lineages Leadership Fellowship, joining a national network committed to strengthening the leadership and long-term sustainability of LGBTQ+ community centers.
NAMED AN AMERICAN EXPRESS LEADERSHIP FELLOW
Julio was selected as a 2026 American Express Leadership Fellow, joining a distinguished network of nonprofit leaders participating in leadership development designed to strengthen organizations and communities.
JOINED NMAC’S NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP COMMUNITY
Julio became a member of NMAC’s national community of advocates, leaders, and supporters working to advance health equity, racial justice, and efforts to end the HIV epidemic.
SIGNED WITH NYTA PUBLIC RELATIONS
Julio signed with NYTA Public Relations, expanding the national reach of his work as an author, speaker, LGBTQ+ advocate, public-health leader, and cultural commentator.
FEATURED BY ENTERTAINMENT ROCKS
Entertainment Rocks announced Julio’s representation by NYTA Public Relations and highlighted his award-winning advocacy, leadership, and best-selling book, Out of Space: Creating Safe Spaces in Unlikely Places.
LED SANTA BARBARA PRIDE 2026
As Executive Director of Pacific Pride Foundation, Julio helped lead Santa Barbara Pride under the theme “OUT. PROUD. UNSTOPPABLE.” The celebration brought together thousands of community members, nonprofit organizations, businesses, artists, advocates, and elected leaders.
PARTICIPATED IN SANTA BARBARA’S FIRST CITY HALL PRIDE FLAG RAISING
On August 17, 2026, Julio joined civic and community leaders for Santa Barbara’s first Pride flag-raising ceremony at City Hall. Julio spoke about LGBTQ+ visibility, community resilience, and the importance of remaining visible during a time of increasing political hostility.
SECURED A TRANSFORMATIONAL $250,000 MATCHING-GIFT OPPORTUNITY
Under Julio’s executive leadership, Pacific Pride Foundation secured a $250,000 unrestricted matching gift to strengthen the organization’s long-term sustainability and inspire additional investment in LGBTQ+ services throughout California’s Central Coast.
ADVANCED MAJOR PHILANTHROPIC GROWTH
Julio helped lead one of Pacific Pride Foundation’s strongest starts to a fiscal year, including approximately $200,000 in private donor support secured within two months and the launch of a transformational matching-gift opportunity.
EXPANDED MULTIYEAR SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ+ SERVICES
During Julio’s tenure, Pacific Pride Foundation secured significant multiyear investments supporting LGBTQ+ youth, mental health, public health, harm reduction, community education, organizational stability, and year-round programming.
SELECTED TO PRESENT AT THE UNITED STATES CONFERENCE ON HIV/AIDS
Julio and members of the Pacific Pride Foundation team were selected to present at the 2026 United States Conference on HIV/AIDS. Their session, “The Future of the Movement: Innovation, Urgency & What’s Next,” brings together advocates and community leaders for a forward-looking conversation about the future of the HIV movement.
CELEBRATED FOUR YEARS OF OUT OF SPACE
On May 17, 2026—the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia—Julio celebrated the fourth anniversary of his best-selling book, Out of Space: Creating Safe Spaces in Unlikely Places.
COMPLETED THE OUT OF SPACE AUDIOBOOK
Julio completed production of the audiobook edition of Out of Space, bringing his personal story and safe-space leadership framework to audiences in his own voice.
PUBLISHED “HIV DIDN’T END. AMERICA JUST GOT BORED.”
Published May 26, 2026, Julio’s article examines how declining public attention has allowed HIV disparities to persist—and why Latino communities continue to pay the price.
PUBLISHED “WE’RE NOT BURNED OUT. WE’RE UNDER ATTACK.”
Published May 28, 2026, Julio challenges the way exhaustion among LGBTQ+ nonprofit leaders is discussed and identifies the political, financial, and institutional pressures affecting those leading on the front lines.
PUBLISHED “JUST BECAUSE THEY LET YOU IN DOESN’T MEAN YOU BELONG TO THEM.”
Published June 2, 2026, Julio offers a powerful reflection for underestimated leaders learning the difference between being invited into an institution and surrendering their voice, identity, or power to it.
FEATURED ON AUTHOR’S HOUR
Julio joined Author’s Hour to discuss his journey from community advocate to best-selling author, the personal experiences that shaped Out of Space, and the lessons he learned throughout the writing and publishing process.
LAUNCHED “QUEER NEWS THAT MATTERS”
Julio expanded his digital platform through “Queer News That Matters,” offering timely commentary on politics, culture, history, leadership, public health, and issues affecting LGBTQ+ communities.
2025
NAMED A POZ MAGAZINE HERO
In November 2025, Julio was recognized as a POZ Magazine HERO for his longstanding leadership, visibility, and commitment to communities affected by HIV.
LED THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF PACIFIC PRIDE FOUNDATION AND SANTA BARBARA PRIDE
As Executive Director, Julio helped lead the 50th anniversary celebration of Pacific Pride Foundation and Santa Barbara Pride. Presented under the theme “Rooted in Pride,” the festival welcomed thousands of attendees and featured more than 35 performers and over 50 participating organizations and vendors.
HONORED LGBTQ+ HISTORY THROUGH THE AIDS MEMORIAL QUILT
The 50th anniversary Pride celebration featured panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt in partnership with the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and honored the work of the Gold Coast AIDS Quilt Project.
EXPANDED ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE PRIDE PROGRAMMING
Under Julio’s leadership, Santa Barbara Pride incorporated Spanish-language access, ASL interpretation, Mixteco-language inclusion, family-centered programming, community awards, and expanded participation from nonprofit organizations and local businesses.
STRENGTHENED PACIFIC PRIDE FOUNDATION’S PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT
During the 2025–2026 period, Pacific Pride Foundation received $275,000 in major-donor revenue, including a $75,000 foundation grant and individual gifts of $100,000, $50,000, and $50,000.
ADVANCED LGBTQ+ ADVOCACY AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Under Julio’s leadership, Pacific Pride Foundation trained 28 advocates, conducted four advocacy sessions, completed four organized advocacy actions, convened 12 nonprofit leaders, and participated in statewide policy discussions in Sacramento.
EXPANDED BILINGUAL AND CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE SERVICES
Julio helped guide the expansion of bilingual and culturally responsive programming across Pacific Pride Foundation’s mental health, youth, public-health, harm-reduction, education, and community-building initiatives.
2024
NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PACIFIC PRIDE FOUNDATION
Julio was appointed Executive Director of Pacific Pride Foundation, a leading LGBTQ+ organization serving California’s Central Coast, beginning his tenure in August 2024.
In this role, Julio oversees organizational strategy, fundraising, programs, partnerships, public advocacy, and a budget exceeding $1 million while advancing services for LGBTQ+ people throughout Santa Barbara County and the surrounding region.
EXPANDED HIS NATIONAL LEADERSHIP TO CALIFORNIA’S CENTRAL COAST
After more than two decades of advocacy and public-health leadership on the East Coast, Julio relocated to Santa Barbara to guide Pacific Pride Foundation into its next chapter of service, visibility, growth, and community impact.
HELPED LEAD THE 2024 NEW YORK STATE LATINX GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER MEN’S HEALTH SUMMIT
Julio contributed to “Navigating New Paths: Building Health Equity for Immigrants and Asylum Seekers,” a statewide summit addressing the health challenges and barriers experienced by Latinx gay, bisexual, and transgender immigrants and asylum seekers.
HELPED ADVANCE THE NEW YORK CITY LATINX HEALTH SUMMIT
Julio contributed to the New York City Latinx Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Men’s Health Summit at the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice. The summit explored how strategic partnerships can strengthen advocacy and accelerate efforts to end the HIV epidemic.
2023
NAMED TO INSIDER NJ’S OUT 100: LGBTQ POWER LIST
In 2023, Julio was again recognized by Insider NJ’s OUT 100, honoring influential LGBTQ+ leaders whose advocacy, public service, and organizing have shaped communities across New Jersey.
APPOINTED TO THE HIV HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES PLANNING COUNCIL OF NEW YORK
Julio was appointed to the HIV Health & Human Services Planning Council of New York, helping guide the planning and delivery of services supported through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.
ADVANCED LATINX LGBTQ+ HEALTH EQUITY
Julio helped lead statewide and New York City summits focused on improving health outcomes for Latinx gay, bisexual, and transgender communities and strengthening partnerships across public health, advocacy, government, and community-based organizations.
ONGOING LEADERSHIP
BEST-SELLING AUTHOR
Julio is the author of Out of Space: Creating Safe Spaces in Unlikely Places, a best-selling memoir and leadership guide that challenges readers to understand safe spaces not simply as physical locations, but as people whose values, words, and actions allow others to live authentically.
MORE THAN TWO DECADES OF LGBTQ+ AND HIV ADVOCACY
Julio began HIV outreach as a teenager and has devoted more than two decades to LGBTQ+ advocacy, HIV prevention, harm reduction, public health, organizational leadership, and advancing the voices of Black and Brown LGBTQ+ communities.
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ADVOCACY
Julio’s leadership and advocacy have reached Capitol Hill, the United States Department of State, the International Monetary Fund, and the United Nations.
BOARD AND CIVIC LEADERSHIP
Julio’s service has included leadership and advisory roles with the HIV Health & Human Services Planning Council of New York, the Puerto Rican Family Institute, the City of Newark LGBTQ+ Commission, the Ark of Freedom Alliance, and other health, human-rights, and community organizations.
FOUNDER OF ORGANIZING UNIQUE TRANSFORMATIONS
Julio founded Organizing Unique Transformations, a social-impact initiative created to help organizations and leaders cultivate conscious, inclusive environments where people, collaboration, and communities can thrive.
SELECTED EARLIER HONORS & RECOGNITION
2022 — Hispanic Leadership Summit Delegate, United Nations
2022 — Crain’s New York Business Notable Hispanic Leader
2022 — Insider NJ OUT 100: LGBTQ Power List
2022 — Mayor’s Pride Award for Humanitarian Service, City of East Orange
2022 — Star of Essex County Pride Award
2022 — United States House of Representatives Commendation for LGBTQ+ Advocacy
2021 — Insider NJ OUT 100: LGBTQ Power List
2020 — New Jersey State Senate Commendation for COVID-19 Response
2020 — Newark Puerto Rican Day HERO Award and City Resolution and Commendation
2020 — Insider NJ OUT 100: LGBTQ Power List
2019 — Insider NJ OUT 100: LGBTQ Power List
2017 — United Nations International Young Leaders Assembly Delegate
2016 — Leadership Newark Public Policy Leadership Development Fellow
2016 — Newark LGBT Proud Award
2016 — New Jersey Legislative LGBTQ+ Commendation
2016 — City of Newark Municipal Council LGBTQ+ Resolution and Commendation
2015 — United Way Community Ambassador Award
2009 — Youth, Adolescents and Young Adults Excellence Award, Jackson State University Mississippi Urban Research Center
2008 — YouthBuild Public Health Leadership Award