Washington, DC –Today Virginia Delegate Danica Roem overcame anti-trans attacks from her opponent to become just the second out trans person ever elected to a state senate in the United States. She is also the first out trans person elected to a state senate in the South.
Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, released the following statement about the victory:
“Danica faced an unprecedented deluge of anti-trans hate on the campaign trail, but she was not fazed nor distracted. She made LGBTQ+ history tonight because she put constituents first, speaking to the real issues that impact children and their families in Virginia, from fixing roads to ensuring kids and families have food on the table. Her win tonight will make national headlines and serves as a deafening rebuke to bigots who continue to try and silence the LGBTQ+ community and trans people in particular.”
Roem first made history in 2017 when she became the first out trans person to win and serve in a state legislature in the United States. In 2020, Sarah McBride became the first out trans person elected to a state senate in the U.S. when she won her election in Delaware.
More out LGBTQ+ candidates have run for office in 2023 than ever before in an odd election year. See live election results for all 166 LGBTQ+ Victory Fund candidates on the November ballot at victoryfund.org/results2023.