The Southern Arizona Gender Alliance (SAGA) envisions a society where transgender and transsexual people are ensured of their basic rights and can be open, honest, and safe at home, at work, and in the community.

To achieve this goal, SAGA offers support, social, and discussion groups that reflect the various aspects of gender and society. We also provide educational forums and trainings for businesses, service providers, and community members to learn more about the issues facing transgender, transsexual, intersex, and gender-variant people and their significant others, friends, families, and allies, and we provide information on how our allies can be supportive and inclusive.

Thanks for visiting! If you don't find what you need here, please let us know how we can be of better service to you.

Announcing a safe and confidential discussion and support group for those suffering from spiritual malpractice or abuse. Even though the damage done to your soul may feel profound, it's not irreversible. Regardless of how badly you've been treated by churches or religious leaders in the past, it is possible to feel safe again, and to find God's love in a nurturing and responsible faith community. Tucson has a number of welcoming, affirming and inclusive congregations. One of them might be just right for you!

Please note that for May only, this group, which will normally meet every second Tuesday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Wingspan, will instead meet at the date, time and location listed below.

Wednesday, May 21
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Stevens Place
3533 N. Estrella, Apartment 14 (a meeting room at the complex)

It was a gorgeous afternoon on March 2nd, when SAGA members and friends gathered at Sister Luisa's for a vernal feast and celebration. Food was catered for us by Deb Brewer, while music as performed by Bruce, Stephanie, Deb and others.

Click here to see pictures from our party!

The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) has recently released its analysis of the latest Real ID implementation. Among the highlights:

Failures in the Final DHS REAL ID Rules

Though the final regulations are improved from the draft version, they still have significant flaws. The final DHS rules still invade personal privacy, create a bureaucratic nightmare, and will cost Americans billions of dollars. The rules fail to provide adequate privacy protections (including protections against data capture by third parties), fail to offer recourse for individuals caught in bureaucratic breakdowns, fail to provide funding, fail to provide systems as required by the REAL ID Act, and fail to provide any protections against terrorism, the supposed purpose of REAL ID. These failures illustrate fundamental problems not just with the final rules, but with the REAL ID Act itself.

"Official Purposes" Mission Creep

Besides commercial air travel and entry into federal facilities and nuclear power plants, DHS has the unfettered power to require a REAL ID-compliant license or ID for "any other purposes that the [DHS] Secretary shall determine." Already DHS has suggested that REAL IDs could be required for purchasing some over-the-counter medications.

What Can Be Done?

NCTE encourages not just transgender people, but all Americans to work against the REAL ID Act. Contact your Representatives and Senators at both the state and federal levels, and tell them you support repeal of REAL ID.

On the federal level, ask your U.S. Senators and Representatives to co-sponsor S. 717 and H.R. 1117, respectively. On the local level, urge your state legislators and governor to reject compliance with REAL ID.  For updated REAL ID developments and a breakdown on each state's position, see the ACLU's http://www.realnightmare.org

Click here for the very latest news and info about RealID !