First trans US state representative sworn in

by Tim Gibson (mygwork)

After a bitter campaign, Danica Roem has now been sworn in as the first transgendered state representative in America. Winning the election back in November against a transphobic and hate-fuelled campaign lead by Bob Marshall, she will now sit in the Virginia House of Delegates. Marshall would frequently antagonise Roem, refusing to debate her or refer to her as a woman, often calling her “him” on flyers. Roem stood strong saying at the time she “campaigned on a platform of building up our infrastructure and not tearing down each other.”

Roem’s win has bought much public attention and was celebrated today by LGBT activists and organisations. Human Rights Campaign’s Senior Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs, JoDee Winterhof, congratulated Roem saying her “victory was a game changer, sending a clear warning to anti-equality lawmakers across the country that the days of attack LGBTQ people to scare up votes are over.”

“HRC was proud to endorse her candidacy and to mobilise around her campaign. Today, as she is sworn in to the Virginia House of Delegates, Danica Roem is giving hope to LGBTQ people – especially transgender young people – all across this country.”

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