History of The San Antonio Gender Association
A long-running organization, the San Antonio Gender Association (SAGA) has a rich history. Like much of transgender history, our organization was born through hardship. In 1999, Texas courts voided the seven-year marriage of Christie Lee Littleton. They declared her “male” due to her birth certificate. The case’s notoriety pushed Littleton into becoming a prominent spokeswoman for the transgender community. She later founded “Christie Lee’s transgender support group,” which met at the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC).
Littleton’s group sated a need in San Antonio, evident by the increase in membership. By February 7, 2002, the group transitioned into the San Antonio Gender Association. Through this momentum, SAGA became more locally visible. Members conducted awareness sessions for churches and organizations, spoke at local universities, attended conferences, and lobbied in Austin. SAGA observed its first Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) on November 21, 2003.
For a time, SAGA did not meet at the MCC. When the Gay and Lesbian Community Center became the Diversity Center, they relocated in early 2004. SAGA followed. Being part of the center worked well for a time. Membership reached nearly fifty, and a SAGA member served on the Diversity Center board. Unfortunately, financial problems struck. By November 2005, The Diversity Center dissolved. Several months later, SAGA returned home to the MCC in March 2006. July 2006 marked a low point with Becky Cross’s tragic death. Cross not only served as a founding SAGA member and facilitator but also as an international transgender activist. A memorial service honored her dedication. In 2007, Equality Texas recognized her activism by naming one of their annual awards the Rebecca Cross Anchor Award.
Our community always has a way of bouncing back and persevering. In 2006 and 2007, SAGA encouraged new leadership and our membership climbed over 160. Julia DeGrace and Antonio Padilla assisted Stonewall Democrats to provide sensitivity training for police cadets. DeGrace and Lauryn Farris represented SAGA in Washington. Stonewall Democrats honored Michelle Myers as a community volunteer. Ruby Krebs ran for the city council in 2008. During this time, SAGA established connections and collaborations. This included: an AIDS awareness group, local churches, a homeless shelter, the Human Rights Campaign, and other LGBTQI+ organizations.
Our community involvement and hard work became recognized. The Association for Applied and Clinical Sociology presented SAGA with the Paul Wellstone Community Service Award at its October 2009 national conference. SAGA’s activism didn’t stop there. In 2013, SAGA worked with the Community Alliance for a United San Antonio. Together, they helped pass a non-discrimination ordinance at the San Antonio City Council. Farris, SAGA president at the time, advanced a wording change that allowed the proposed ordinance to pass. GLAAD named Farris in the North American 2014 Trans 100 list of outstanding transgender activists.
Sadly, in 2013, SAGA lost its treasurer Michelle Myers. A plaque in the MCC foyer commemorates her passing, and a special candle honors her at the annual TDOR ceremony. In the following year, loss struck again. SAGA’s founder, Littleton, passed away. Her legacy is honored during TDOR ceremonies and with SAGA’s continued efforts. In March 2018, current and former SAGA leadership, Emmet Schelling and Ashley Smith, worked together to organize a press conference and rally. They demanded justice for Kenne McFadden, a transgender woman of color, who drowned after being shoved into the San Antonio River. Schelling now serves as the Executive Director of the Transgender Educational Network of Texas (TENT). Smith advocated for transgender people on a range of issues and encouraged civic engagement.
In March 2019, SAGA members joined TENT and hundreds of transgender Texans in Austin. Together, we rallied and spoke to our representatives about upcoming laws affecting the community. Schelling was among the several speakers at the rally. The work of SAGA continues. Whether a small group or sizable organization, SAGA serves the transgender community.
In September 2023, SAGA gained a full leadership team that was ready to improve and expand the organization. With a clear focus and dedication by the team, SAGA filed for Non Profit status. On November 13th, 2023, The San Antonio Gender Association received a Determination Letter from the IRS, indicating that we were approved and certified as a 501(c)3 Tax Exempt Organization. With the Non Profit status, SAGA is hoping to build partnerships with local businesses, gain more resources for the members, and expand it’s activism and education efforts.