Edmund Savage ’20 has spent years creating spaces where LGBTQ+ students can be included and empowered. Their work within the College of Fine Arts & Communication (COFAC) and throughout the local community reflects a deep commitment to uplifting marginalized voices.

Savage’s journey in advocacy began with a desire to center LGBTQ+ students in their academic and personal experiences. While leading In The Life (ITL), an organization for queer students of color, Savage connected with Isaiah Lawrence, a former ITL member and STAR TRACK representative to address the unique needs of LGBTQ+ students. STAR TRACK’s mission is to provide quality health care in Baltimore.

This partnership with STAR TRACK led to them hosting sexual health workshops with ITL, participating in mental health panels for Queer Wellness Week, tabling for National AIDS awareness day and offering free HIV screenings during drag shows. STAR TRACK’s services can be found monthly on select days through Towson’s health center, providing HIV testing and other imperative health screenings.

Savage’s advocacy continued by working alongside other student groups on campus like QSU, Towson Freedom School and GenderBLUR. Together, they have led weekly meetings about topics such as the creation of ballroom culture, organized programs for Trans Awareness Day and hosted events such as film screenings. Through collaboration, Savage ensures the experiences and needs of LGBTQ+ students are recognized and actively addressed.

Building a legacy of support through alumni connections

Savage’s commitment also extends to building a vibrant LGBTQ+ alumni network as leader of their alumni alliance. They organize events and connect alumni with current students for mentorship and support opportunities to strengthen the fabric of Towson’s LGBTQ+ community.

Since taking on leadership of the LGBTQ+ Alumni Alliance, Savage has organized events such as mentorship panels, LGBTQ+ mixers and currently partners with several offices on campus such as the Center for Student Diversity, Special Collections and University Archives and the Department of Art + Design, Art History, Art Education for an upcoming exhibition featuring TU alumni. Under Savage’s leadership, the network has grown significantly, helping to build deeper relationships across generations.

Advocacy meets creativity

This theme of community runs through all Savage’s work — including their filmmaking. As an alumnus of EMF’s electronic media and film program, they produced and directed an award-winning film “Oracle,” which focuses on youth homelessness in Baltimore, particularly among racial minorities and trans youth. This film is inspired by their research and personal journey, highlighting the challenges many LGBTQ+ youth face.

In their films, Savage strives to share underrepresented stories about Black and queer experiences. Their short film, “IPV”, follows a young poet who, after escaping an abusive relationship, struggles to find his voice through spoken word performances. It earned Savage second place at the 2024 Baltimore Pitch Competition.

With my art as a filmmaker, my purpose is to use film as a way of sharing authentic stories, but it's also a way of preserving the livelihoods of communities that don't always have their voices shared. I want to make sure I am telling stories of my community that reflect our real-life experiences because I don't think that's something that is happening enough.

Edmund Savage

For Savage, the lines between advocacy and creativity often blur. Their passion for community building is mirrored in their artistic endeavors, where the goal is always to challenge the erasure of Black and queer voices.

"I feel like with all of my creative endeavors, the thing I have learned is I'm not doing this just for myself and my own praise and skillset. It's really a matter of making sure I am doing something for my community.”