Danica Roem Makes History as First Openly Transgender State Senator in the South

Virginia Del. Danica Roem has made history once again after winning a seat in the state Senate on Tuesday, becoming the first openly transgender state senator in the South and the second in the United States.

Roem, a Democrat, won the election in Virginia’s 30th Senate district, which covers western Prince William County and greater Manassas. She is the first out transgender person elected to Virginia’s upper chamber and only the second trans person elected to any state Senate in the United States, following Delaware’s Sarah McBride in 2020.

“I’m grateful the people of Virginia’s 30th Senate district elected me to continue representing my lifelong home of western Prince William County and greater Manassas,” Roem said in a statement shared on social media Tuesday.

Roem faced an unprecedented deluge of anti-trans hate on the campaign trail, including from her opponent, Republican Kelly Woolf, who had promised to ban transgender athletes from participating in school sports if he was elected. Despite the hate, Roem was not phased nor distracted and ultimately won the election.

Annise Parker, former Houston mayor and president of the LGBTQ Victory Fund, said, “Danica faced an unprecedented deluge of anti-trans hate on the campaign trail, but she was not phased nor distracted. She ran a positive, issues-focused campaign that focused on her qualifications and the needs of her constituents.”

Roem’s election is a major milestone for the LGBTQ community and a sign of progress for the state of Virginia.