Aria Sa’id, the co-founder and second official head of the Transgender District in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood, has announced that she will be stepping down from her position as the president and chief strategist of the organization. Sa’id, a Black trans woman, has led the organization through COVID-19 and San Francisco’s struggle to rebound after the pandemic. She co-founded the Transgender District in 2017 with fellow Black transgender activists Honey Mahogany and Janetta Johnson, with the goal of pushing back against gentrification and creating a safety net, support, and opportunities for the largest population of transgender people in San Francisco. The organization is the first legally recognized transgender district of its kind in the world.
Sa’id wrote on LinkedIn that after six years, she would no longer be serving as the Transgender District’s president and chief strategist. Her last day will be October 30. Sa’id stated that the organization will continue to thrive under new leadership and that her departure does not mean that the Transgender District will be closing or that she is leaving the city.
During her tenure as president and chief strategist, Sa’id and her team developed innovative programs to improve the lives of the Tenderloin’s transgender residents. These programs include mutual aid and guaranteed income programs, which have been replicated by other organizations across the United States. Currently, 55 transgender people in San Francisco are receiving $1,200 guaranteed income a month for 18 months through the Transgender District’s program.
Sa’id also faced challenges during her time at the Transgender District, including death threats and false claims made about the organization in conservative documentaries. Her work took a toll on her mental and physical well-being, and she decided to step down to focus on her health and envision her future.
Mayor London Breed praised Sa’id and the work she has done at the Transgender District, stating that she has helped secure San Francisco’s place globally as a city that stands up for fundamental human rights and freedoms.
Sa’id’s departure marks the end of an era for the Transgender District, but the organization will continue to thrive under new leadership. Sa’id’s legacy will endure, as her innovative programs have improved the lives of many transgender people in San Francisco and beyond.