In the midst of her campaign for Virginia’s Senate, Danica Roem, a pioneering transgender legislator, is confronting an alarming surge of transphobia from her opponent and his supporters. Roem, who has served three terms in Virginia’s House of Delegates and was the first openly transgender person to do so, is now vying to become the second transgender state senator in the United States. However, she is facing a formidable challenge from Bill Woolf, a former police officer, and his supporters, who have intensified their efforts to exploit transphobia as a campaign strategy.
Transphobia on the Rise
Roem has been a target of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments throughout her political career, but she notes that the level of transphobia in this campaign surpasses anything she has encountered before. Woolf and his supporters have seized upon Roem’s support for transgender student athletes, alleging that she advocates for “boys in girls’ spaces.” Campaign materials from the Republican Party of Virginia claim that Woolf and Governor Glenn Youngkin, who endorses him, are defending girls’ sports while Roem opposes a bill that would prohibit transgender girls from participating in female school sports.
Roem, however, points out that there are only a handful of transgender student athletes in Virginia, and existing guidelines already address their eligibility by considering factors like hormone therapy. Moreover, Roem staunchly opposed a bill that would have required school staff to disclose a student’s transgender status to their parents, citing the potential harm it could inflict on LGBTQ+ youth, many of whom face homelessness.
Defending LGBTQ+ Rights
Throughout her career, Roem has actively defended LGBTQ+ rights by opposing discriminatory bills that have made their way to the Virginia legislature. While some of these bills passed the House, they were defeated in the Democratic-majority Senate. Roem emphasizes the importance of representation and the critical role she has played in thwarting these discriminatory efforts.
A Record to Uphold
In addition to her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, Roem highlights her legislative achievements, including the passage of bills to improve infrastructure, provide free meals to students, combat anti-trans discrimination in health insurance, and ensure coverage for state-of-the-art prosthetic devices. She hopes to continue this work as a senator and also seeks to address issues such as gun violence prevention and abortion rights.
Roem’s decision to run for the Senate was driven by redistricting, which split her House district into three. Senate District 30, where she is now running, offers her the opportunity to continue representing her constituents in a new, competitive district.
As the election draws near, Roem remains optimistic but stresses the importance of voter turnout. She views Virginia as a crucial state for transgender rights and urges LGBTQ+ Virginians to participate actively in the election to secure their place in a state that remains one of the few safe spaces for trans individuals in the South.
Roem’s commitment to the Senate reflects her dedication to making a difference at the state level, leaving higher office aspirations aside. Her focus is on Virginia, where she believes her advocacy can have the greatest impact.
In this Virginia Senate race, Danica Roem stands as a symbol of resilience in the face of transphobia, determined to continue her fight for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusive policies.