Danielle will be Grand Marshal for Seattle’s 40-years-of-Pride celebrations on June 29. Danielle’s work has spanned a number of progressive causes including safe-schools work and reforming HIV/AIDS policy, though the underlying focus has always been on elevating trans* community and experiences. Her work has also spanned to Sweden where she helped RFSL – The Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights – change the 1972 law “regarding sex-changes in some circumstances” that required trans* people to undergo forced sterilization. Danielle has served as Program Manager for Q-Law, the National Program Director for GSA Network and is currently the Policy Director for Basic Rights Oregon. Based in Seattle and Stockholm, Danielle is the founding Executive Director of Gender Justice League, Washington State’s trans* and allied activist collective. Here we focus on some major cities and the trans folk they’re honoring! Seattle Danielle Askiniĭanielle Askini is a social worker and internationally influential trans* activist. LA pride put the ‘T’ before ‘LGB’ in naming their celebration, and many pride celebrations have named transgender Grand Marshals.
This year across the country we’re seeing more and more positive representation of our trans communities in LGBT pride celebrations. By Jack Dunn, Communications and Operations Associate
