Transgender Lawmaker Danica Roem Misgendered, Lt. Governor Apologizes

VIRGINIA — After Republican Lt. Governor Winsome Sears misgendered state Sen. Danica Roem on the Senate floor, Roem left the room and prompted Democrats to seek a recess. Sears offered an apology after the incident.

In the midst of Monday's Senate proceedings, Sears called Roem "sir" while answering a question from the state senator. Roem (D-Manassas), is Virginia's first transgender lawmaker as the 30th Senate District's representative and identifies as a woman.

After Sears's comments, Roem left the Senate chamber. Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell requested a recess soon afterward.

As WAVY reported, Senate Democrats urged Sears to apologize during the Senate meeting. When the Senate resumed, Sears addressed the comment in remarks to senators. The lieutenant governor said she did not intend to "upset anyone" and was there to do her job overseeing the Senate. Sears pointed to making mistakes like just calling the House into recess instead of the Senate.

"It is never my intention to make anyone offended, and I hope that others would consider that they would try not to offend me, as well," Sears said. "We are all equal under the law, and so I apologize, I apologize, I apologize, and I would hope that everyone would understand that there is no intent to offend but that we will also give each other the ability to forgive each other."

Roem's office provided a comment to WAVY that did not directly address Sears's remarks. Roem's comment noted her priority continues to be serving constituents on issues like addressing food insecurity and fixing roads. According to the statement, Roem spent time after the Senate session to promote her bill on improving public knowledge of federal supplemental nutrition assistance programs.

Equality Virginia, a nonprofit supporting LGBTQ+ rights, offered a suggestion to Sears in light of the misgendering: "@WinsomeSears, if pronouns are too difficult, you can always refer to Danica Roem (she/her) as Senator."