Southern Queer Newsroom
Please note, this story contains discussion of suicide. If you or a loved one are in crisis, please call, text, or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386 or Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860.
Lia Smith, a transgender woman who swam for Middlebury College and went missing on October 19, was found dead by suicide on October 23. Her identity was confirmed on October 24. There is no suspicion of foul play from Vermont State Police.
Lia, aged 21, was an avid chess player and computer science student, being a member of the Women in Computer Science club and Japanese Club. Before the Trump administration executive order forcing trans women to compete alongside cis men, she was a diver for the Middlebury Women's Swimming and Diving Team.
She was also a prominent advocate for transgender rights. Back in February, the school hosted a panel featuring Brianna Wu, a trans woman routinely criticized for advocating against the trans community at large, and Leor Sapir, a member of the conservative Manhattan Institute think-tank. The panel was titled "What is the Right Approach on Public Policy and Transgender Medicine?" and discussed the anti-trans executive orders issued by Trump on his first day in office.
Queers & Allies, a student group for queer community building, held a counter-panel in protest. Titled "Trans Healthcare is NOT a Debate!", the panel featured a professor of gender, sexuality, and feminist studies, the university's director of health services and pediatrician, and Ms. Lia Smith. Before their panel, Queers & Allies held a dance party to celebrate trans joy and danced in a conga line around campus.
While speaking on the panel, she addressed other trans students, saying, "Know that there are people in community that are here for you and care about you." It's a reminder to all trans people, that despite how difficult living in this moment is, we are going to be the ones to save us. Not politicians, not parties. Us.
Middlebury College president Ian Baucom wrote to students about the news that read in part, "Please continue to extend care and compassion to one another and to yourselves"
This death is an unfortunate reminder of the upward struggles facing transgender Americans fighting for public acceptance and civil rights. Not everyone becomes a massively influential fighter like Miss Major. Too often, trans lives end well before our prime, and too often, the joy and brightness so many exude isn't extended to oneself. If you are in crisis, please utilize the resources above. If you need emotional support, try to find your local PFLAG chapter or independent queer support group.