On Tuesday, as Americans across the country took to the polls to vote for their mayors, city councilors, and other representatives, the big winners were equality and inclusivity.
Virginians elected their first-ever transgender state representative, Danica Roem, who ran against a vehemently anti-LGBTQ candidate who supported a so-called “Bathroom Bill” that would have discriminated against transgender individuals.
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Hours later, Minnesotans elected the first-ever African American transgender state rep, Andrea Jenkins.
Montanans elected a former Liberian refugee as mayor, New Jerseyans voted in the state’s first Sikh mayor, and Virginians tapped two Latina women as state representatives.
Read More: On Election Day, New York Celebrates 100 Years of Women's Suffrage
Global Citizen has profiled both Roem and Jenkins as part of our Who Run the Gov? Girls! series. Global Citizen also campaigns for the Global Goals for Sustainable Development, including goal five on gender equality. You can take action here.
Here are some of the best reactions from across the internet on last night’s historic election:
Tonight Karma is a transgender woman, a black female Mayor, a turbaned Sikh Mayor, an Asian American elected official, a black LT Governor, a white man who ran on gun control after losing his girlfriend to gun violence. In other words, Karma is American.
— Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) November 8, 2017
history being made: transgender politicians Andrea Jenkins of Minneapolis and Danica Roem of Virginia won their races. 👏 pic.twitter.com/7LNKDcTjA8
— badass woman alert (@badass_w) November 8, 2017
BREAKING: Come January, a trans woman will walk into the capitol built by Jefferson to take her seat in the Virginia legislature. Danica Roem will raise her right hand, swear an oath, and, will become the first out trans person to be elected to and serve in a state legislature.
— Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) November 8, 2017
Couldn’t be more thrilled for Danica Roem. And good riddance to Bob Marshall, one of the most anti-choice, and anti-LGBTQ members of the VA House. https://t.co/AQfdW4oKRh
— Cecile Richards (@CecileRichards) November 8, 2017
Danica Roem will be the first transgender member of a state legislature. And she beat a vicious bigot in a swing seat to do it!
— Robert Wheel, Esq. (@BobbyBigWheel) November 8, 2017
This is Robert Marshall's sister.
— Holly O'Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) November 8, 2017
Marshall is who Danica Roem, the first openly trans person elected to office in VA, beat for the Virginia House seat.
His sister pulls zero punches.
This is beautiful.#WednesdayWisdompic.twitter.com/SIvD9ToAYC
Danica Roem, the first openly trans person elected to office in VA, will represent a middle-ring suburban district. Her key campaign issue was traffic. A nice reflection that trans people have ordinary concerns like everyone else.
— Josh Barro (@jbarro) November 8, 2017
When asked about Bob Marshall, Danica Roem said “I don't attack my constituents. Bob is my constituent now.”
— Nicholas Trevino (@BlyTarbell) November 8, 2017
She has more grace and composure than I will ever have. #virginia#DanicaRoem
Danica's victory is politics at its best: not the art of the possible, but the art of making the impossible possible. What once seemed impossible, that we could live our truth and pursue our dreams all at the same time, is now very possible. (1/2)
— Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) November 8, 2017
Yeah, so I'm crying now. This is the night I wanted. So happy.#DanicaRoem#ElectionDay
— Charles Clymer🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) November 8, 2017
Tonight's results send a message loud and clear, as Danica Roem @pwcdanica put it so eloquently tonight: "Discrimination is a disqualifier. You can champion inclusion, you can champion equality and equity, and you can win."
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) November 8, 2017
So proud of movement auntie, Andrea Jenkins, who became the first openly trans woman of color elected to the city council of a major U.S. city. She’ll represent Ward 8 of Minneapolis! So much history being made tonight! #AJ4W8#TransFolksCanWin#ElectionDaypic.twitter.com/AJqvDt9E7q
— Raquel Willis (@RaquelWillis_) November 8, 2017
Congrats to the inspirational Andrea Jenkins https://t.co/oWsMrf2eth
— R.T. Rybak (@R_T_Rybak) November 8, 2017
Say it with me, "CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ANDREA JENKINS!!!"
— Peggy Flanagan (@peggyflanagan) November 8, 2017
So proud of movement auntie, Andrea Jenkins, who became the first openly trans woman of color elected to the city council of a major U.S. city. She’ll represent Ward 8 of Minneapolis! So much history being made tonight! #AJ4W8#TransFolksCanWin#ElectionDaypic.twitter.com/AJqvDt9E7q
— Raquel Willis (@RaquelWillis_) November 8, 2017
Another first last night: Andrea Jenkins, new Mpls city council member, is first transgender woman of color elected in major city!
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) November 8, 2017
The first openly trans woman & trans African American woman were elected into office today along with a Sikh progressive. Congrats to Danica Roem, Ravi Bhalla, & Andrea Jenkins for being apart of a more inclusive & accepting America.
— Simar (@sahluwal) November 8, 2017