Danica Roem Makes History as Virginia's First Transgender State Senator

In a groundbreaking moment for the trans community, Danica Roem has broken barriers as the first openly transgender person elected to the Virginia Senate. With a reported 52% of the vote, Roem achieved a decisive win over former Republican hopeful Bill Woolf, a former Fairfax County detective.

Roem's triumph in Virginia carries immense significance, as she becomes the first transgender state senator elected in the southern United States. This historic milestone follows the 2020 election of Delaware's Sarah McBride, who became the first transgender state senator in the entire country.

The 39-year-old Democrat previously made waves six years ago when she became the first openly transgender candidate elected and seated in a state legislature. In that notable victory, Roem defeated one of Virginia's longest serving and socially conservative lawmakers.

Expressing her gratitude, Roem took to social media to address her lifelong home community, including the people of western Prince William County, the city of Manassas Park, and the city of Manassas. " I’m so grateful to continue serving my life-long home community, now in the state senate," she stated in a post.

Throughout the campaign, Roem faced opposition from Woolf, who garnered support from Glenn Youngkin, a well-known right-wing Republican. Woolf's platform included advocating for the exclusion of transgender individuals from competitive sports. Roem firmly believed his stance contributed to his downfall, emphasizing, "You attack trans kids in my district at your own political peril.”

“I’m known nationally for being trans, I’ve never run away from that,” she said. “At the same time, locally, I got your kids fed, I got your commute fixed.”

Roem's success can be attributed not only to her identity as a transgender individual but also to her grassroots promotional skills and ability to connect with her audience. Prior to entering politics, she served as a frontwoman for a metal band, showcasing her ability to captivate through the performance arts as well as politics.

The Human Rights Campaign President, Kelley Robinson, hailed Roem's achievement as a momentous occasion for not only the transgender community but for all marginalized groups. According to reports from CBC, Robinson stated, "For every queer person, for every trans person, for every person of color, for anyone who's been at the margins, it is historic for all of the gains that we're seeing happen."

Danica Roem's election win paves the way for greater representation and inclusivity in the political landscape of Virginia and beyond. Her accomplishment stands as a testament to the gradual but indomitable progress being made towards equality and acceptance of the community.

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