Historic Win: Danica Roem Breaks Barriers as First Transgender State Senator in the South

Danica Roem, a three-term Virginia lawmaker and former journalist, has become the first openly transgender person to be elected to a State Senate seat in the South. Her victory in the 30th District helped Democrats take control of the Virginia legislature. Roem faced sustained anti-transgender rhetoric during the campaign, but she attributed her success to focusing on everyday quality of life issues for her constituents. Her win, along with other victories for LGBTQ+ candidates in Virginia, is seen as part of a "rainbow wave" nationally and a rebuke to those who seek to silence the LGBTQ+ community.