Thread by @cmclymer

It was ten months after Trump's inauguration, and the entire political world was focused on the Virginia statewide elections because of what it might predict for America's future, and I was focused because of an historic House Delegate race that might predict mine. (thread)

In Virginia's 13th House Delegate District, incumbent Bob Marshall was running for a 14th consecutive term after developing a reputation as one of the most aggressively anti-LGBTQ legislators in the country. His opponent? Former journalist and proud trans woman Danica Roem.

Bob Marshall ran on his abysmal record and called himself Virginia's "chief homophobe".

Danica Roem had a very straightforward message: fix local transportation problems because no one likes to be held back in getting where they need to go.

Roem knocked on 27,000 doors, sat down for just about every interview she was offered, and communicated a clear message that the district deserved someone who cares about local issues. And Marshall? He continued his hateful drumbeat and ran viciously transphobic ads.

In 2015, Marshall had won reelection in a landslide, and now, two years later, he watched in disbelief as Roem cruised to a commanding 8% margin-of-victory on the simple platform of improving the daily lives of her new constituents.

The most important thing that happened that night was Roem's constituents got a superb delegate.

But for me personally--and I imagine countless others--watching Roem elected as a proud trans woman gave me the courage to come out. I did exactly that 22 days later.

If it were not for Danica Roem, I don't think I would have had the encouragement to come out as soon as I did. She communicated to me and millions of others that our stories matter, and that we belong in the public square in our full authenticity, just like everyone else.

Roem also inspired other trans people to run for elected office. There has been a surge of highly qualified openly-trans candidates who have thrown their hat in the ring because they care about their communities, and they've been elected!

Danica Roem spurred a revolution.

It's now 2019. Danica Roem is running for reelection next month, and once again, Virginia GOP has thrown their support behind an awful anti-LGBTQ candidate, Kelly McGinn, who called same-sex marriage "morally repugnant".

Danica Roem? She's still obsessed with local issues.

Roem introduced three bills that advanced out of committee this past session, including one that came out of a productive working relationship with GOP Delegate Glenn Davis, Jr. that would help families gain easier access to free and reduced-lunch in schools.

We all know that the folks who would support someone like McGinn are loud as hell, and we know that Danica Roem is the kind of leader who inspires change and advocacy that's even louder.

It's time to get loud. We need to help get Danica Roem across the finish line next month.

I want to raise at least $10,000 for @pwcdanica today. I think we can do it. In fact, I *know* we can do it.

Donate to Danica using this link, reply to this thread (or DM me) with a screenshot, and I'll RT it and follow you: secure.actblue.com/donate/hrcva

@pwcdanica We have raised over $1,000 in under half an hour. LOVE THIS!

@pwcdanica We're at nearly $1,700 at the hour mark!

@pwcdanica We've raised nearly $2,500 in two hours, and I have followed a BUNCH of people who donated. Keep it coming! Let's raise this for Danica!