Donna Rose | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 22, 1959 |
| Education | Syracuse University |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Known for | Prominent in the transgender rights movement |
| Board member of | Human Rights Campaign, NGLCC, GLAAD, Out & Equal |
| Website | Official website |
Donna Rose is an American transgender rights activist and author. Rose began living openly as a trans woman in 1997 and has spent the years since her gender transition consulting and training on workplace transgender issues. [1]
Rose has worked at American Airlines since 2016. [2]
Rose transitioned while working at PCS Health Systems, but she left due to the awkwardness she felt there and wanted a fresh start with a new employer. She cited her experience as "disappointing, but better than many [other trans workers]." [2]
In 2002, she joined the Human Rights Campaign's Business Council as one of two transgender members. [3]
In 2003, she published "Wrapped in Blue: A Journey of Discovery," which was a featured selection in the Texas Book Festival that year. [4]
She became the first and only transgender member of the Human Rights Campaign's board of directors in 2005. [5]
In late 2007, she resigned from both HRC positions over the organization's controversial stance to not oppose the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which included protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation but not gender identity. [6] [3]
Rose's advocacy continued through other organizations, including serving as Vice Chair of Transgender Advocates of Central Texas and as a board member of HIV/AIDS organization Phoenix Body Positive. [7] She would also join the boards of GLAAD and NGLCC from 2008 to 2010. [8] [9]
In 2010, she was appointed the executive director of the LGBT Community Center Coalition of Central Pennsylvania. [8] She continued to write pieces to educate about transgender people and issues. [10] [11] [12]
Rose joined the board of Out & Equal in 2017. [13]
Rose was honored with the "Trinity Award" in 2007 by the International Foundation for Gender Education. [14]
In 2008, Campus Pride acknowledged Rose with the organization's "Voice Action Award" for her advocacy in the workplace and the classroom. [15]
Rose has wrestled throughout her life. She competed in the ASICS US Open Wrestling Championships in Cleveland in 2010, [9] and received the Federation of Gay Games "Outstanding Athlete" Legacy Award at Gay Games 9 in 2014. [16]