| Donna Rose | |
| Birth Date: | 22 February 1959 |
| Birth Place: | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Known For: | Prominent in the transgender rights movement |
| Years Active: | 1997–present |
| Boards: | Human Rights Campaign, NGLCC, GLAAD, Out & Equal |
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]."
In 2002, she joined the Human Rights Campaign's Business Council as one of two transgender members.
In 2003, she published "Wrapped in Blue: A Journey of Discovery," which was a featured selection in the Texas Book Festival that year.[3]
She became the first and only transgender member of the Human Rights Campaign's board of directors in 2005.[4]
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.[5] [6]
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]
In 2010, she was appointed the executive director of the LGBT Community Center Coalition of Central Pennsylvania. She continued to write pieces to educate about transgender people and issues.[9] [10] [11]
Rose joined the board of Out & Equal in 2017.[12]
Rose was honored with the "Trinity Award" in 2007 by the International Foundation for Gender Education.[13]
In 2008, Campus Pride acknowledged Rose with the organization's "Voice Action Award" for her advocacy in the workplace and the classroom.[14]
Rose has wrestled throughout her life. She competed in the ASICS US Open Wrestling Championships in Cleveland in 2010,[15] and received the Federation of Gay Games "Outstanding Athlete" Legacy Award at Gay Games 9 in 2014.[16]