Darlings of Destruction Junior Derby League mourns the suicide of trans skater Sam Taub

Twitter is resounding with #doitfor57 as league members nationwide vow to wear turquoise at matches this wekend in memory of Sam Taub.

If not for the author of Derby Frontier we’d never have known that Sam was a transgender youth. We are grateful for the author who wrote:

“Today, I was absolutely devastated to learn of the suicide of a junior derby skater from West Bloomfield, Michigan named Sam Taub, who also happened to be a young trans man, on April 9th, 2015. Known as Casper in the derby community, Sam skated under #57 alongside his teammates in the Darlings of Destruction Junior Derby League out of Roseville, Michigan. My sincere condolences to all of those affected by this tragic loss, who knew and loved Sam.”

Darlings of Destruction Junior Derby League posted this to Facebook.

Darlings of Destruction Jr. Roller Derby League Just a few days ago, we lost one of our own. Casper was a bright and shining star and her sense of humor was fantastic. We would like to say a genuine, heartfelt thank you to all who have reached out to us or sent their condolences in this difficult time. The roller derby community is different in that we are family, win or lose. The Darlings will work to defend their title in Mackinac today in her name. First place or not, we #doitfor57

ANNOUNCEMENT: On Trans Awareness In Sports Week and the Future of Derby Frontier – http://t.co/oXXsITihDE — Derby Frontier (@DerbyFrontier) March 21, 2015

Rest in Power Sam Taub, Roller Derby Community Mourns Following Suicide of Trans Junior Skater http://t.co/polepVw8cl #doitfor57 — RWB Rollers (@rwb_rollers) April 16, 2015

Our thoughts going out to Michigan after the loss of Sam Taub (Casper/#57). http://t.co/fMbCDNYFDR #endtransphobia #doitfor57 — VRDL (@VictorianDerby) April 16, 2015