Virginia lieutenant governor apologizes after misgendering state senator

LGBTQ
Virginia lieutenant governor apologizes after misgendering state senator

BY TARA SUTER 02/27/24 01:55 PM ET

Virginia Lieutenant Gov. Winsome Sears (R) apologized Monday for misgendering state Sen. Danica Roem (D).

“I apologize, I apologize, I apologize,” Sears said during a session of the Virginia Senate. “And I would hope, I would hope, that everyone would understand there is no intent to offend, but that we will also give each other the ability to forgive each other.”

Sears’s apology followed comments she made while presiding over a Senate session in which she referred to Roem, who is a transgender woman, as “sir” when answering questions from Roem on how many votes would be needed to pass a bill.

“And what would be the exact number for that, Madam President?” Roem asked. … “Yes, sir, that would be 32,” Sears responds.

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