Pop star Demi Lovato brought a special guest as her date to the 2017 American Music Awards on Sunday night: Danica Roem, the first openly transgender state legislator.

Roem, 33, was elected to Virginia's House of Delegates earlier this month, defeating anti-LGBT Republican Bob Marshall.

"I think what Danica has done is just completely inspirational and she's a trailblazer" says Lovato. "To be a state legislator as a trans woman is groundbreaking and incredible, I have so much respect for her and I wanted to come with her."

"My campaign, I talked a lot about the idea of making Virginia a more inclusive commonwealth" Roem said on the red carpet outside the Microsoft Theater in L.A. "So no matter what you look like, where you come from, how you worship or who you love you are welcomed, celebrated and respected in Virginia because of who you are, not despite

This is Trans Awareness Week and Roem joined Lovato as part of GLAAD's Together movement, which aligns marginalized communities.

"Demi Lovato and Danica Roem are two strong and inspirational women who embody the need for all Americans to stand together united and to take action today against any form of discrimination and oppression," said GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis, who also called Roem a "trailblazer."

"[Her] win in Virginia showcased both how young people and marginalized communities can impact voting results and how every American deserves an opportunity to work hard and achieve their dreams. Demi Lovato continues her legacy of raising the bar for entertaining audiences around the world and for spotlighting social issues that need the most attention."

During the awards, Lovato performed her single "Sorry Not Sorry."

"We connected because I heard her story. I was just completely inspired by that,” Lovato told E! News. “My story with ‘Sorry Not Sorry’ is about bullying, and I wanted to have her in the audience with me tonight because I feel like we’ve been through some of the same things and now we get to share this experience together.”