Danica Roem's Win To Change Virginia House Protocol: Report

MANASSAS, VA — Nearly 400 years of protocol in Virginia's General Assembly are about to be tossed aside now that Danica Roem (D-Prince William County) has become the state's first openly transgender person to hold an elected office, according to the Washington Post.

If Republicans weather recounts and retain the majority in the House of Delegates, Majority Leader M. Kirkland Cox (R-Colonial Heights) says he will dump the tradition of referring to lawmakers as "the gentleman from. . . or the gentlewoman from. . ." and instead refer to them simply refer to them as "the delegate from. . ."

Cox spokesman Parker Slaybaugh told the Post that "Speaker-designee Cox believes the ‘gentlelady’ and ‘gentleman’ terminology is outdated, and that referring to everyone as ‘delegate’ is more timely and appropriate."

Roem told the Post she was surprised about Cox's intention but more or less shrugged it off, saying, "What matters the most if that I'm there. I will be the delegate from Prince William and I will conduct myself as the gentlewoman from Prince William."

Photo: Danica Roem's campaign website