Danica Roem is a transgender woman who won a seat in the Virginia Senate on Tuesday. She is the first transgender person to be in the Virginia Senate and the second one in the whole country. She beat a Republican man who was supported by the governor.
Danica Roem said she was happy that the people chose her to keep working for them. She said she cares about making roads better, helping kids and the environment, and not hurting trans kids or their rights.
Danica Roem was also the first transgender person to be in the Virginia House of Delegates six years ago. She beat a very old and conservative man then.
A group that helps LGBTQ people get elected said Danica Roem’s win was a big message to people who hate LGBTQ people and trans people especially. They said Danica Roem focused on the real problems that affect people in Virginia, like roads and food.
Some people who did not like Danica Roem said she was wrong to support trans kids who play sports. They said she was letting boys be in girls’ spaces.
Another group that supports LGBTQ rights in Virginia said Danica Roem’s win was very important and good for the future. They said Danica Roem showed that being mean to LGBTQ people does not work in Virginia. They said Danica Roem always puts her people first and does a good job for them.
Danica Roem was not the only LGBTQ person who won in Virginia this week. Eight more LGBTQ people got seats in the state legislature, and three of them were new.
This year, many LGBTQ people won elections in different places. A group that tracks LGBTQ wins said they counted more than 200 wins this year, and 148 of them were on Tuesday.
Del. Danica Roem becomes Virginia’s first openly transgender state senator
