virginia democrat danica roem call man conservative opponents attack view lgbt right campaign become unite state transgender state legislator roem shy away gender identity one campaign ad apply makeup bathroom mirror take hormone pills rather focus politics run transgender woman prefer discuss traffic gridlock issue nov. election virginia house delegate transgender people qualify say hey stand stick traffic right ideas fix say roem 33-year-old journalist leaders transportation leaders economic development yeah leaders civil right too candidacy come transgender men women vie voice political arena target conservative lawmakers seek limit right notably restrict bathroom access u.s. elections year could double country number transgender officeholders currently six accord victory fund work elect lesbian gay bisexual transgender candidates group endorse eight transgender candidates election fall transgender man woman run city council minneapolis mayoral race midvale utah school board contest erie pennsylvania among contest transgender candidates nearly 30 race 2017-18 election cycle already transgender candidate 13 2015-16 accord logan casey research associate harvard university track community electoral push come republican president donald trump administration reverse guidance public school allow transgender students bathroom choice want ban transgender people military service minority group also battle discrimination gain poll transgender candidates face unique challenge make case voters often never meet another transgender person least knowingly sort double-pronged task lot candidates casey say run office persuade people vote also educate mean transgender person phillipe cunningham 30-year-old black transgender man run city council minneapolis think would chance professional success people would put gender identity marvel support receive campaign trail people see like cool know talk really love community say galesburg illinois city 30,000 23-year-old chris king lose alderman race early year emphasize business development card hand voters also highlight diversity would bring transgender woman color brace topic become issue public forums never come 100 percent sure good bad say king part-time student pet stylist know discuss privately would open door conversations happen need happen educate people virginia roem seek unseat 25-year republican incumbent house delegate file bill limit bathroom access transgender people day roem launch candidacy delegate bob marshall state republican party use male pronouns refer roem party recently send mailers voters district take issue support school policies support transgender youth suggest want push agenda students young kindergarten mailers absolutely attack danica gender identity john findlay executive director republican party virginia say statement marshall reply request comment roem say republicans resort bully years fail address voters quality-of-life concern leave transphobic b.s say email monday roem dream milestone moment would follow historic win introduction legislature gentlewoman manassas would smile two transgender youth imagine would watch chamber gallery fundamentally change conversation say let get onto business pursue govern vote battle right inspire u.s. transgender candidates