SAGA will host a big party on Saturday, March 27th, to celebrate our friendship with Sr. Luisa Derouen and wish her godspeed in her retirement.
Luisa served the transgender community in New Orleans for many years, only to be driven out of town by hurricane Katrina. When she was forced to relocate in 2005, Sr. Luisa moved to Tucson, where she opened up a retreat house for transgender and other people in the shade of "A" Mountain. Luisa became a fast friend of SAGA, a spiritual advisor to many, both Catholic and not, and the hostess to several memorable SAGA parties.
Now it’s time for Sr. Luisa to move on, this time to her Order's retirement house in Kentucky, where she will share her experiences with younger nuns and educate them on the richness of the transgender experience.
SAGA’s party will be dedicated to honoring our good friend and thanking her for her service to us over the last four years. But it’s still a party, and we all love parties, so please come.
The party will take place on Saturday, March 27th at Wingspan, 430 East 7th Street in Tucson, from 4:00 - 7:00 pm. A pot luck dinner will be served, with chicken and rice as the main course. Feel free to bring a dish or drinks (no alcohol, please) you'd like to share. Whatever you bring, even if it’s just yourself, be prepared to have fun!
Please let us know you'll be coming, so we can be sure to have supplies for everyone. Email
The U.S. Department of Justice has joined a landmark federal lawsuit on behalf of a gender non-conforming middle school student who faced a two-year ordeal of harassment and abuse because of his gender expression. The Department's action last week marks the first time in a decade the US government has gone to court to combat discrimination based on gender expression.
SAGA member Amanda Simpson has been appointed by the Obama Administration to be a Senior Technical Advisor to the Department of Commerce. She'll be working in the Bureau of Industry and Security.
"I'm truly honored to have received this appointment and am eager and excited about this opportunity that is before me. And at the same time, as one of the first transgender presidential appointees to the federal government, I hope that I will soon be one of hundreds, and that this appointment opens future opportunities for many others."
One person's transition is a transition for everyone. As the partner, spouse, parent, ally or close friend of a transgender or transsexual person, you may feel betrayed, angry, confused -or delighted - by the all consuming nature of transition and the complexities of life, love and intimacy that accompany the journey. Desert Partnerz was formed to help gain a better understanding of the ways gender diversity can impact relationships. Share your feelings, concerns, and experiences.
Meetings of Dezert Partnerz will take place on the third Thursday of each month from, 6:00 - 8:00pm at Wingspan/Eon. All are welcome. For more information, click here...
On October 30, 2009, our community suffered the enormous and irreplaceable loss of Ms. Michele Renee deLaFreniere. Michele was a prominent figure spanning the LGBT communities, as well as Scottsdale city government and local media.
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Saturday, March 27th, to celebrate our friendship with Sr. Luisa Derouen and wish her godspeed in her retirement.
by the Obama Administration to be a Senior Technical Advisor to the Department of Commerce. She'll be working in the Bureau of Industry and Security.