WASHINGTON — Newly elected Virginia delegate Danica Roem attended the American Music Awards Sunday with singer Demi Lovato.
People magazine reported that Lovato was inspired by Roem’s win and invited Roem to the awards to be her date.
Roem, a journalist, defeated Republican Del. Bob Marshall in Virginia’s 13th District, which includes parts of Prince William County and Manassas Park. Roem, who carried 54 percent of the vote, made history as the first openly transgender elected official in Virginia history.
Marshall, who calls himself Virginia’s “chief homophobe,” introduced Virginia’s version of the so-called “bathroom bill,” refused to debate Roem and referred to her using male pronouns.
Lovato told the New York Daily News that she wanted Roem to join her because Lovato’s performance is about bullying and Roem has “put up with so much bullying.”
Roem told E News that she was grateful that Lovato has spent her career advocating for people who need a voice when they feel voiceless. Lovato “really understands that no matter what you look like, where you come from, how you worship or who you love, you should be welcomed and celebrated because of who you are,” Roem told E News.
Lovato performed her hit “Sorry Not Sorry.” She told NPR that the song was written with school bullies in mind.
Watch a music video of “Sorry Not Sorry.”
Editor’s Note: This video may contain explicit language.
