Sam is a trans West Virginian with a passion for advocacy and community building, using his background in social work to serve his community and challenge social injustices.
Sam recently graduated from Marshall University with their Bachelor of Social Work. Throughout their time as a student, they worked as Assistant Coordinator for the Marshall University Suicide Prevention Education Across Campus organization. In that role, Sam promoted education about mental health and suicide prevention, with a focus on young populations and the LGBTQ+ community.
Before starting his role as Trans Justice Organizer, Sam worked closely with LGBTQ+ people in West Virginia by supporting community members, leading mutual aid efforts, creating events to provide safe spaces for queer West Virginians, advocating for better policies at the Capital, organizing protests, and more. At sixteen years old, they helped start Rainbow Formal West Virginia, a dance that is held for LGBTQ+ high schoolers. He has previously served on the Fairness West Virginia board, and as vice president of Huntington Pride. Sam also co-founded and organizes the West Virginia Trans Coalition, a network for trans people in the state to support each other and work together on issues important to the community.
Sam wholeheartedly believes in the ACLU of WV’s mission to protect the civil liberties of all West Virginians and plans to use his role to continue building power and uplifting the voices of trans people in this state.