November 7, 2023

RICHMOND, VA – Today, Equality Virginia PAC, the elections arm of the Commonwealth’s leading advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) equality, released the following statement celebrating Senator-Elect Danica Roem’s victory in Senate District 30, making her the first openly transgender state senator elected in Virginia’s history. 

“Yet again, Danica Roem has made history. After becoming the first openly trans person elected and re-elected to the House of Delegates, she is now the first openly trans person elected to the Virginia Senate. Her victory is both groundbreaking and heartening for our commonwealth’s future, especially given that she defeated out an opponent who launched anti-LGBTQ+ attacks on her campaign,” said Narissa Rahaman, executive director of Equality Virginia PAC. “Senator-Elect Roem’s victory shows, once again, that anti-LGBTQ+ policies and personal attacks are a losing strategy in the commonwealth. From the beginning, Danica has put her constituents first: focusing on the issues that matter most in her district. We know she will continue to do so in the Senate, and we’re thrilled that her voters see what we see: a dedicated, effective and strong leader for all Virginians. We can’t wait to continue our work with her in Richmond.” 

This session, Equality Virginia tracked over two dozen anti-LGBTQ+ bills that directly targeted LGBTQ+ people, and in particular, transgender Virginians. Of the 12 transgender-related bills that were introduced this year in Virginia, all were defeated.

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Equality Virginia PAC is working to build a fully inclusive Commonwealth by educating, empowering, and mobilizing Virginians to ensure all LGBTQ+ people are free to live, love, learn, and work. EV PAC works with Equality Virginia (EV) to advance equal rights for LGBTQ Virginians through public policy and advocacy.