Geraldine Roman says she has overcome "bigotry, hatred and discrimination" as she won a congressional seat in the Philippines.
The Catholic politician said she is looking forward to contributing towards law-making.
Ms Roman will become the highest ranking openly transgender person in the Philippines - where many have not come out for fear of rejection and losing support in the Catholic nation.
She is being celebrated by countries LGBT community (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender).
Boxing legend and politician Manny Pacquiao was criticised in February for saying homosexuals were "worse than animals".
He later apologised but says he remains opposed to same-sex marriage.
Geraldine Roman told the BBC: "If Jesus Christ was alive today, he would not approve of discrimination.
"I firmly believe that."
She comes from a political family and her mother and father worked in Filipino politics for years.
Her constituency, Bataan, east of the capital Manila, overwhelmingly supported her. She gained 62% of the vote.
In 2001, a law was passed making it impossible for transgender Filipinos to change their name and gender legally.
Ms Roman has campaigned to lift the law and to push for an anti-discrimination bill.
She says she wants to focus on education and ensure that more poor students are able to study and get scholarships.
Geraldine Roman speaks French, Spanish and Italian in addition to her mother tongue.
