Danica Roem to give keynote speech at PrideFest opening ceremonie

Danica Roem, the first trans person ever elected to serve in a state legislature, is the keynote speaker for the opening ceremonies at of the 31st Annual PrideFest at 3 p.m. on Friday, June 8, at the Dance Pavilion.

The event will also feature guests, elected officials and award winners. There’s a special admission price for the occasion.

Roem’s election to the Virginia House of Delegates was supported by donations from Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, who chairs the Victory Fund, a national organization that seeks to elect LGBTQ people to public office. Her Republican opponent in the race was a lead sponsor of Virginia's trans-exclusionary bathroom bill as well as a state law banning same-sex marriage. 

The Pride Awards are produced by C3 Designs.

In other PrideFest news, this year’s festival is offering $1 admission to the event between 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on June 8. The money from campaign — dubbed the PrideFest Plus One Campaign — benefits Diverse & Resilient. "Investing in the local LGBTQ community is central to our mission and purpose,” vice president of communications Michail Takach in a press release. “With a $1 donation, our guests can make their own investment in a healthier, happier LGBTQ Milwaukee. Every dollar will touch a local life."

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