We honor and see you, Lia Smith. Your Spirit Lives On.
Please remember that allied adults can offer support to LGBTQ+ youth by showing up with compassion, listening without judgment, affirming trans young people’s identities, and reminding them that they are not alone, that they are seen, valued, and celebrated.
We are deeply saddened by the news of Lia Smith’s passing — a bright, thoughtful, and deeply engaged member of the Middlebury College and Vermont communities.
Those who knew Lia remember someone who lived fully and with conviction. She was a Computer Science and Statistics double major, a member of the women’s swimming and diving team, part of the chess club, an Anime fan, and a steadfast advocate for trans rights.
Our hearts are with Lia’s family, friends, and the Middlebury community. We honor who Lia was, in her intellect, humor, presence, and always, with insistence on living and learning in truth.
Earlier this year, Lia spoke on a campus panel titled “Trans Healthcare is NOT a Debate!” — a response to an anti-trans event and the ongoing attacks on access to care nationwide. As Lia reminded her peers, and all of us, everyone deserves safety, respect, and the ability to live as themselves. Access to healthcare, authenticity, and safety are not topics for debate, they are basic human rights.
Rest gently, Lia. May your light and leadership continue to ripple outward through all of us who will carry your values forward.
