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

Added by Kelli Busey on April 15, 2015.
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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.”

Sam Traub post

15-year-old Sam Taub RIP

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

darlings of distruction

Darlings of Destruction Junior Derby League out of Roseville, Michigan.

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

  1. hans April 16, 2015 at 2:58 am

    Are you sure it’s not Turquoise?
    A lot of the derby-verce posts on FB say turquoise the suicide awareness colour.

  2. Katheryn America April 16, 2015 at 3:57 am

    Most leagues I have talked to and have seen post to facebook are wearing turquoise to their games, including our league.

  3. Juna Pierson April 16, 2015 at 4:45 am

    The color IS turquoise!

  4. Clutch Kill 4WD April 16, 2015 at 5:10 am

    DoD is one of my sister teams. My heart goes out to Casper and those who knew them. RIP, Casper ❤

  5. honey bash-her April 16, 2015 at 6:03 am

    No matter male or female purple or turquoise or anything between it all boils down to love and support its all about being kind and accepting that everyone is beautiful, everyone deserves the right to be who they are and above all deserves love! To show support in any color is just that showing support. #doitfor57

  6. Kelli Busey April 16, 2015 at 6:13 am

    Thank you everyone. I’ve corrected the post to indicate the memorial color is turquoise.

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  8. Bert Hert April 16, 2015 at 10:29 am

    FYI, Casper wasn’t out to the league about being trans. He was out at school, but for derby, still went by she. So, please be kind to the folks at DoD who wrote the memorial. They didn’t know they were misgendering, and have suffered a terrible tragedy.

  9. Marie April 16, 2015 at 12:39 pm

    Derby is a wonderful thing–so glad she found you all and had love and support. Prayers up!

  10. Stacy (aka Racy Rapidfire) April 17, 2015 at 12:05 am

    As a fellow Trans* Athlete, derby skater, member of the Victorian Roller Derby League (VRDL) in Australia, and as a derby skater that was once banned because I was a Trans* Athlete (before the WFDTA Policy came out), the thoughts and Derby Love being expressed I’m sure mean allot to all those effected and also to so many other Trans* Athletes out there who are just trying to live life as their true self. Lets reach out and #DoItFor57, derby love, Stacy.

  11. Holly Spencer-Trueman April 18, 2015 at 4:58 am

    Imm the mom of two jr skaters. I shared this to my page and this is the comment my 78 yr old father left and wanted people to see, Derby love to you all!

    “How terribly sad. You are in my thoughts and prayers derby girls.
    A DERBY GRANDPA OF A CROOKED RIVER ROLLER GIRLS OF CLEVELAND AND AKRON.”

  12. Mel Seery (Mom of Boston Junior Derby player) April 18, 2015 at 10:08 pm

    Boston Junior Derby loves you DoD and Casper! There was a Boston Derby Dames v Charm City (WFTDA) bout tonight and there were turquoise ribbons and #doitfor57 signs EVERYWHERE you looked! Both teams, the jr derb’s, fans, officials, everyone. This is such a heartbreaking thing that happened. Our hearts go out to you.

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  14. michele May 1, 2015 at 12:57 pm

    Samantha was born a female and God Bless her, she died a female. Samantha is my niece, contrary to what her life was guided into she was a female! Please respect her family, especially her mother, and refer to samantha as a female! Thank you. No disrespect to any one who wants to Transgender or is, but Samantha is a female! Thank you for your respect!

  15. Kelli Busey May 2, 2015 at 8:44 am

    No disrespect Michele but…

    Why is it that family is often the last to come to grips with the reality of the trans experience? We are no longer silent victims. This day and age we are out and make no mistake. When one of our own commits suicide or is murdered we will write about them and we will properly mourn them as well.

  16. 164 Nitro Ingine May 22, 2015 at 9:40 pm

    Can’t seem to change my “Profile Picture” So I will keep Supporting “Casper #57″ You Have totally Touched My Heart Sam” ♡ xoxox ♡ Still doing it for Sam #doitfor57