WASHINGTON D.C. – SPARTA, the nation’s leading transgender military service organization, is proud to announce our newest member of the Board of Directors, Samson "Sam" Gibbs, who assumes the role of SPARTA's Vice President.

Laila’s tireless work on behalf of the transgender military community has been instrumental in paving a path to open service - a goal that is finally on the brink of being fully realized.

Editor’s note: Pronoun’s are used inconsistently at the request of the interviewee. Some transgender people use different pronouns when referring to their past. Small towns are perfect for some, but others find themselves outgrowing their town and seek a way out. Sgt Liam Hodge-Aguirre grew up in Salisbury,