It was a great honor to represent the state of Florida as a woman, a Latina and a Lesbian! It surprised me not to see more Latinas coming from Miami! I was the only one!
It was like a Facebook reunion and I learned a lot from those that have been going to this for a long time...like my brother and friend from San Diego, Raul Robles. He has been involved for a very long time and he boosted me to go since my opening plenary in USCA.
I was very proud to go and also represent The Well Project who brought three other A Girl Like Me bloggers and CAB members!
My experience had mixed emotions! As with everything, the first time is hard to find yourself around. I felt that we were such a powerful group of 400 constituents from all over the USA! Many of us were first-timers and we felt lost and alone sometimes. I suggested a mentor or staff for the next years to Mr. Bill McColl and I hope AIDS United can help us in this. It is a very huge place and even though we were very well instructed in the points to touch, and as advocates we pretty much know exactly what we want, I found myself alone...and most of the people in my group were lost! Sadly I was even stolen, along with many others, from a visit with Debbie Wasserman. 
I got there at 12:30 pm on the dot after being rained on and having one hour lost in the mazes of Capitol Hill. I got there and I was told..."They just left." I said, "What? I am here on time." They said they came about 20 mins ago and left. I spoke to a few people from Florida and they were told the same. Basically someone that was not on the list took it upon themselves to go to our visit and this affected me in many ways! I felt left out! I felt that they stole our voices! And this was not appropriate! I am a democrat and a woman!! This was our time to tell her our needs! I am very sad about this!
I did get to have a SPECTACULAR meeting with Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. She gave me so much time and Mr. McColl greeted me there. 
It was amazing and I got exactly what I needed! She is Republican but very much for HIV and LGBT rights and a Latina...of course. 
I was highly impressed with her humility and look forward to meeting her again here in Miami! Other visits went well, just that little no-no that I hope gets solved so no one ever has to feel this way again! AIDS United went above and beyond to make us feel welcomed and they also gave me the scholarship to attend.
So I am super grateful to them for giving me a chance and a voice. I got to bond with my sisters from A Girl Like Me: Vickie Lynn, Michelle Anderson,Tabby, and so many awesome advocates that I love dearly. 
So all in all it was a good experience and in a balance of pros and cons...the good things win!
I hope that everyone experiences this at least once in their lifetime!
Much love and light until the next time!
Maria T Mejia
