Danica Roem
Lighting the Way with Danica Roem
Everyone has a story. Danica Roem's advice, "Don't let other people define your story for you." Her book, Burn the Page, talks about setting fire to the stories that don't define you in a way that we believe lights the way to a brighter future. Danica's journey, and the hurdles she overcame along the way to become the first openly transgender state legislator in the United States, put her in a place where she was primed to tear down barriers for others. Her example opened a door for many others to walk through and lights the way towards a more inclusive future for all of us. Danica is currently running for the Virginia Senate, you can learn more at www.danicaforstatesenate.com
Everyone has a story. Danica Roem's advice, "Don't let other people define your story for you." Her book, Burn the Page, talks about setting fire to the stories that don't define you in a way that we believe lights the way to a brighter future. Danica's journey, and the hurdles she overcame along the way to become the first openly transgender state legislator in the United States, put her in a place where she was primed to tear down barriers for others. Her example opened a door for many others to walk through and lights the way towards a more inclusive future for all of us. Danica is currently running for the Virginia Senate, you can learn more at www.danicaforstatesenate.com
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Highlights
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Guest Biography
Danica Roem is in her third and final term representing the 13th District in the Virginia House of Delegates, where 41 of her bills have been passed into law. She was the first openly transgender person to be elected and re-elected in any US state legislature. Danica is also the executive director of Emerge Virginia, an organization that works to increase the number of Democratic women leaders from diverse backgrounds in public office through recruitment, training and providing a powerful network. Danica has worked as a journalist for multiple publications and won seven awards from the Virginia Press Association. Last year, her book “Burn the Page: A True Story of Torching Doubts, Blazing Trails, and Igniting Change” from Viking books, released to wide acclaim. She is a champion for the LGBTQ+ community in Virginia and across the country. She is a staunch advocate for pro-equality legislation, including for LGBTQ+ rights, abortion rights, and voting rights. She has voted to create safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environments for students by prohibiting discrimination based on LGBTQ+ status, hairstyles, religious head coverings and clothing, and more. In 2020, Virginia passed a bill introduced by Delegate Roem to end discrimination against transgender Virginians in health insurance. She has consistently pushed back against legislative attempts to interfere with Virginians having their health care needs covered and accessible. |
Credits
Guest: Danica Roem Host: Liz Cavallaro Host: Bree Fram Audio: Frieda Garcia |