Meet Bolivia's first transgender news anchor

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Meet Bolivia’s first transgender news anchor

26-year-old Leonie Dorado

is breaking down social barriers

as the new co-host of Aby Ayala TV

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BOLIVIAN NEWSCASTER, LEONIE DORADO, SAYING:

"I used to be called Bernardo. I was a pretty good looking kid, in fact. And I don't think that I have any regrets in that aspect. I'm still the same person, it's just that now I'm called something else."

Leonie dreamt of a career in music

but was offered a job on TV

and uses the platform to discuss LGBTQ rights

Leonie wants to become a voice for trans people

Location: La Paz, Bolivia

in a traditionally conservative country

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BOLIVIAN NEWSCASTER, LEONIE DORADO, SAYING:

"The LGBT group is a group of millions of people who demand human rights, labor rights, the right for their lives to be respected. So, that's what's motivated me to become a part of this project. I think it's very important to highlight that point because not everyone in the group - even if they have the best abilities to work at a company or wherever - not everyone has been able to do so."