- Title: Bolivia's first transgender news anchor puts LGBTQ issues front and center
- Date: 7th July 2020
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BOLIVIAN NEWSCASTER, LEONIE DORADO, SAYING: "The least relevant thing in my life is that I am trans. I think I always put that to the side and I always tried to be a part of projects that were basically about fulfilling my professional dream."
- Embargoed: 21st July 2020 14:06
- Keywords: Boliva LGBT anchor broadcast channel first human rights media news newscaster transgender
- Location: LA PAZ, BOLIVIA
- City: LA PAZ, BOLIVIA
- Country: Bolivia
- Topics: Human-Led Feature,Human-Led Stories
- Reuters ID: LVA004CLT8DON
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDITORS NOTE: PART ORIGINALLY SHOT IN 4:3
Leonie Dorado, 26, is blazing a trail as the first transgender news anchor in Bolivia, a traditionally conservative South American nation currently in the grip of the coronavirus pandemic.
Dorado, the new co-host of Bolivian program Aby Ayala TV, covers LGBTQ issues in her role, drawing on her own transition and life experience as a trans person.
TV broadcasting wasn't always in Dorado's plans. As a child, she showed promise as a piano player, and eventually pursued singing. She is currently working toward a degree in modern music in Bolivia's National Conservatory of Music.
She was offered the TV job in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic and did not hesitate to accept the opportunity to be a voice for trans people.
Dorado, whose family was supportive of her transition, decided it was time to open up about her experience publicly with the aim of helping others in Bolivia's LGBTQ community.
In her new role, Dorado focuses on trans rights and issues, particularly health and labor. She is also writing a book to encourage others with her personal motto: "Make peace with your body, put your health first, bet on your dreams and be happy.
(Production: Sergio Limachi, Monica Machicao) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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