Feb. 17, 2025 – The New York State Police recently announced the arrest of five individuals in Canandaigua in connection with the disappearance and murder of Sam Nordquist, a 24-year-old transgender man.
During the investigation, law enforcement officials discovered that Nordquist endured prolonged physical and psychological abuse between December 2024 and February 2025. According to the report, “The investigation indicated that the victim was subjected to prolonged physical and psychological abuse before being transported to Yates County, where the remains were disposed of.”
Nordquist’s sister, Kayla, described him as a kind and selfless person. “Sam was amazing. He would give the shirt off his back to help anyone. He wouldn’t hurt a fly,” she said. “He accepted everyone for who they were.”
Why We March
The tragic loss of Sam Nordquist is part of a larger, harrowing reality. According to the Williams Institute, LGBT people are five times more likely to be victims of violent crimes and nine times more likely to experience violent hate crimes. Black members of the LGBT community face the highest rates of victimization.
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation reported that in 2024, at least 32 transgender and gender-expansive people lost their lives to violence. Notably, 78% of victims were people of color, and more than half—56%—were Black transgender women.
These numbers are more than statistics; they represent real lives, real people, and real loss. Sam’s story is a painful reminder of why advocacy, visibility, and action are more urgent than ever. This is why we march.
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