One of the most electric wins last night was Danica Roem's decisive House of Delegates win over Del. Robert G. Marshall, a man who bragged about his homophobia and refused to refer to Ms. Roem by her preferred gender.
The race focused on traffic and other local issues in suburban Prince William County but also exposed the nation’s fault lines over gender identity. It pitted a 33-year-old former journalist who began her physical gender transition four years ago against a 13-term incumbent who called himself Virginia’s “chief homophobe” and earlier this year introduced a “bathroom bill” that died in committee.
“Discrimination is a disqualifier,” a jubilant Roem said Tuesday night as her margin of victory became clear. “This is about the people of the 13th District disregarding fear tactics, disregarding phobias . . . where we celebrate you because of who you are, not despite it.”
Marshall, 73, who refused to debate Roem and referred to her with male pronouns, declined an interview request but posted a concession message on Facebook.
“For 26 years I’ve been proud to fight for you, and fight for our future,” he said. “I’m committed to continue the fight for you, but in a different role going forward.”
Roem's victory speech was one for the ages. We've included a clip of part of it above.
Congratulations, Danica Roem and congratulations, Virginia!
UPDATE: This is some class right here:
And this:
