Valerie Smith (she/her) is an emerging journalist and editor based in St. Petersburg, Florida. Her perspective as a lesbian and transgender woman informs her coverage of the LGBTQ+ community. She is the editor in chief and co-founder of The Sapphic Sun, a monthly print newspaper for queer women and sapphics in the Tampa Bay Area. Her primary mission is to provide her community with quality, accurate accountability reporting. Valerie enjoys spending time in nature, watching movies with her partner and cats, and eavesdropping at local gay bars.