Sam Brinton: A passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
Sam Brinton is a former nuclear engineer and LGBTQ activist who made headlines in 2022 for their arrest over stolen luggage and their departure from the Department of Energy.
They were also one of the first openly gender non-binary officials in the federal government, and a vocal advocate for banning conversion therapy.
In this blog post, we will learn more about their life story, career, achievements, and personal life.
PHOTO Courtesy | CNN Politics
Profile Summary of Sam Brinton
| Name | Sam Brinton |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Samuel Otis Brinton |
| Birth Date | 1987 |
| Birth Place | Perry, Iowa, U.S. |
His Early Life, Family And Education
Sam Brinton, born in Perry, Iowa, experienced a childhood marked by the nomadic lifestyle of their Southern Baptist missionary parents.
The family relocated frequently, and during high school, Sam came out as bisexual to their parents, resulting in rejection and mistreatment.
They underwent the distressing ordeal of conversion therapy, a harmful practice aimed at changing one’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Describing the experience as “barbaric” and “painful,” Sam shared their story in a New York Times op-ed.
Graduating from Perry High School in 2006, Sam pursued a degree in mechanical engineering with a focus on nuclear engineering at Kansas State University.
They earned their Bachelor of Science degree in 2011 and continued their academic journey at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where they pursued graduate studies in nuclear science and engineering.
His Personal Life And Gender Status
Identifying as gender non-binary, Sam Brinton rejects traditional male or female classifications.
They use they/them pronouns and express their gender fluidity through their appearance and clothing.
While maintaining privacy about their romantic life and marital status, Sam has no children.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CmQKykgtYXA/
Sam’s Professional Career And How It Affects His Personal Life
Launching their career as a nuclear engineer, Sam Brinton contributed to various liberal and environmentalist think tanks, including the Breakthrough Institute, Clean Air Task Force, and Third Way.
Their advocacy focused on clean energy and nuclear innovation, establishing them as an expert in the field.
Simultaneously, Sam emerged as a prominent LGBTQ activist, particularly in the fight against conversion therapy.
Collaborating with The Trevor Project, an LGBTQ youth organization, they spearheaded the #50Bills50States campaign to enact nationwide legislation prohibiting conversion therapy.
Sam testified on this issue at the United Nations in 2014.
In June 2022, Sam Brinton assumed the role of deputy assistant secretary for spent fuel and waste disposition in the Office of Nuclear Energy under the Biden administration.
They managed research and development related to the long-term disposal of nuclear waste, making history as one of the first openly gender non-binary officials in the federal government.
However, their tenure was cut short when, in December 2022, they faced arrest for allegedly stealing a woman’s suitcase at the Minneapolis airport.
The ensuing legal proceedings charged them with grand larceny in Nevada, leading to their departure from the Office of Nuclear Energy.
His Awards, Achievements And Recognitions
Sam Brinton’s contributions have earned them recognition and accolades:
- Named one of Forbes’ “30 Under 30” in 2015 for their work in nuclear energy.
- Recognized in The Advocate’s “40 Under 40” in 2018 for efforts to end conversion therapy.
- Included in Out magazine’s “Out 100” in 2019 for contributions to LGBTQ rights.
- Acknowledged by The Advocate in 2020 as one of the “50 Most Influential LGBTQ People in Media” for their work on LGBTQ representation.
His Net Worth and Income Sources
Sam Brinton’s financial status, including their net worth and income sources, remains undisclosed. No information has been provided regarding their earnings.
They have held roles as a nuclear engineer, LGBTQ activist, and government official, presumably serving as their primary sources of income.
Brinton’s Philanthropic Involvement
Engaging in philanthropy, particularly within the realm of LGBTQ activism, Sam Brinton has actively supported various organizations dedicated to the welfare and rights of LGBTQ individuals.
Beneficiary organizations include The Trevor Project, the Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, and the National Center for Transgender Equality.
Participation in events like the AIDS Walk, the NOH8 Campaign, and the It Gets Better Project has further demonstrated their commitment to raising awareness and funds for LGBTQ causes.
Additional Insights into Sam Brinton
Their Hobbies and Interests
Sam Brinton’s diverse interests and hobbies encompass singing, dancing, traveling, and reading. With a passion for music, they have participated in musicals and choirs.
Proficient in ballet, tap, jazz, and ballroom dancing, they enjoy expressing themselves through movement.
Their love for exploration has taken them to over 30 countries.
And they are an avid reader with a collection spanning various topics such as history, science, and politics.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CaHRgFmIT2H/
Their Books and Podcast
Contributing to both nuclear energy and LGBTQ issues, Sam Brinton has authored and co-authored publications, including:
The MIT Energy Initiative’s report “The Future of Nuclear Energy in a Carbon-Constrained World” (2018).
Additionally, their involvement in reports like the Human Rights Campaign’s.
“The Lies and Dangers of Efforts to Change Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity” (2015) and:
The Trevor Project’s “The Cost of Conversion Therapy” (2019) highlights their dedication to addressing pertinent issues.
They also host the podcast “Sam Brinton Talks,” featuring interviews covering nuclear energy, LGBTQ rights, and current affairs.
Controversies and Criticisms
While Sam Brinton’s account of conversion therapy has faced scrutiny, with some journalists and activists questioning its consistency and plausibility, their reputation suffered further due to their arrest for luggage theft.
This incident led to their departure from the government role.
Additionally, their advocacy for nuclear energy has been met with opposition from environmentalists and anti-nuclear activists, who argue that nuclear energy is unsafe, expensive, and unsustainable.
ALSO READ: Charissa Thompson: The TV Host Who’s Redefining Sports Broadcasting
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Sam Brinton
Q: What is the harm associated with conversion therapy?
A: Conversion therapy is an unscientific practice aiming to alter an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, rooted in the unfounded belief that being LGBTQ is either a mental disorder or a sinful condition.
Employing methods such as counseling, hypnosis, electroshock, drugs, and physical abuse, this practice is detrimental as it infringes upon the human rights and dignity of LGBTQ individuals.
Moreover, it can lead to severe psychological and physical consequences, including depression, anxiety, self-harm, suicide, and chronic pain.
