Daniel Dromm

Daniel “Danny” Dromm (he/him) was born in Rego Park, Queens, the first of five children to Mary Audrey Murray and Warren Dromm. While the family experienced many hardships, Danny persevered and graduated from Marist College in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish Language Studies and Communications. Danny began his distinguished career as an early childhood educator at the Grant Houses Day Care Center while working towards a master’s degree at City College. In 1984, he began a 25-year tenure as a public school teacher at Sunnyside’s P.S. 199Q.

An outspoken member of and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, Danny publicly came out in 1992 to more effectively fight for diversity and inclusion in the public school curriculum. His activism led to his co-founding the Queens Pride Parade, an event that showcases the pride and accomplishments of LGBTQ+ people within their local community. A proud Irish American, he also helped establish the St. Pat’s for All celebration, which welcomes the participation of all New Yorkers regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Having become active in New York City politics, Danny became the first openly gay elected official in Queens in 2002, serving as Democratic District Leader in the 39th Assembly District. In 2009, he was elected to the New York City Council as one of its first openly gay members, serving the diverse communities of the 25th Council District by defending the rights of LGBTQ+ people, upholding the dignity of immigrant communities, lifting the voices of working families, and centering the value of public education. He also served as the Council’s Finance Chair, negotiating a $100 billion budget with Mayor de Blasio. Though his Council tenure ended in 2022, he remains a fierce advocate for our city, serving on the boards of the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the Emerald Isle Immigration Center, and as chair of the Advisory Committee for the New Queens Pride.

Dromm was the first elected official to recognize and support the Caribbean Equality Project, allocating resources that enabled CEP to expand services, amplify storytelling, and become a visible force for Caribbean LGBTQ+ advocacy. His belief in CEP’s mission facilitated sustainability to grow into New York’s only Caribbean LGBTQ+ immigrant rights organization.

Danny is deeply honored to receive the Political Champion Award because he believes the Caribbean Equality Project represents the future of the LGBTQIA+ movement.