Aria Sa’id
Writings & Thoughts
“I think it’s really easy to rely on outside affirmations to validate who you are as a person and who you are in the world. I, like so many women, struggled with low self-esteem. I also had to face living in a world where I received the message of, “you can’t,” every day. I am a plus size, brown-skinned, Black woman of transgender experience. The world on every level communicates to you that you can’t or aren’t deserving. It is through being my own cheerleader that I think I’m able to dare, dream and lead the work I do. Early in my career no one really believed in me or my work. I was a former sex worker, have no college degree, and I just had to cheer myself on until everyone else followed. You kind of have to start the slow clap and hope folks join along. Especially when you don’t fit the mold.”
– Aria Said
Trans Women in Film & Writing: Artist to Artist Conversation featuring Nava Mau & Aria Sa’id for YBCA
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October 17, 2019/No comment
Cover of The Fight Magazine’s May 2019 issue | #covergirl
To see interview click here! ...
June 23, 2019/No comment
Black Carrie Bradshaw of San Francisco
Shot w/ Dave McMahon of REALTALK2010...
June 23, 2019/No comment
Expanding Women of Color Narratives @ Women’s Soundfest Festival 2019 #wso2019
WOMEN SOUND OFF is a platform celebrating creative women from all industries and walks of life. They’re focused on empowering, educating, and connecting women throughout their creative...
June 22, 2019/No comment
Aria Sa’id announced as Executive Director of the Compton’s Transgender Cultural District
The Compton’s Transgender Cultural District is pleased to announce celebrated transgender advocate and award-winning political strategist, Aria Sa’id will lead the Compton’s Transgender Cultural...
February 5, 2019/No comment
Rabbit Fur in the Winter
“We all spend our lives kicking the crap out of ourselves for not being this way or that way, not having this thing or that thing, not being like this person or that person. For not living up to...
December 18, 2018/No comment
Jaded, A Thought Process |Blog
“we thought that because we gained salaries and assets that the guys would treat us different, see us different, love us different. the truth is you can’t ‘earn’ your way...
December 18, 2018/No comment
thank u, next
thought i’d end up marc, but it wasn’t a match; wrote some poems about euloge, now i look back and laugh; almost got married, and to syeed i’m so grateful; wish i could say thank you to...
December 2, 2018/No comment
Letter To My Younger Self | #NationalComingOutDay
Dear Aria, You are so soft. So sheltered, so innocent, and so beautiful. And yet, you believe that you are absolutely invincible, that you have edge. That you are daring. Because...
October 11, 2018/No comment
5 Things To Tell Yourself When Life Gives You Lemons | Aria’s Journey to #FindingPride
It can be really hard to find the right words and the positive thoughts when life just seems to keep handing you baskets and baskets of lemons. And let’s be honest- a lot of those pep talks...
October 2, 2018/No comment
Earn $20 for a 10 minute survey | Quickie Survey
Transwomen in SF Bay Area! We wanna hear from you! Complete a short survey and earn $20 via paypal ? | Complete pre-screener to see if you’re eligible at:::quickiesurvey.org...
September 30, 2018/No comment
I Gained 100 Pounds, And Yet I’ve Never Felt More Beautiful | My Journey to Body Positivity
“Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels”- Kate Moss I think I was around 17 when I first realized that my weight would play a huge factor in how the world would treat me. Since 14, I...
September 8, 2018/1 comment
Holy Grail Beauty Products | August 2018
I’m such a weird make up junkie in that I seem to always buy products for the idea of them. You know what I mean? Like, I haven’t worn a smokey eye in about 3 months and yet I still...
August 28, 2018/No comment
Kween Culture x Sephora
Many folks are familiar with the trans women of color empowerment project I started, Kween Culture Initiative. If not, click that link to learn more! We had such an amazing partnership with...
August 26, 2018/No comment
#MyCalvins & My Obsession w/ Olive Tones
Duster Coat: PrettyLittleThings SportsBra: Calvin Klein Pants: ASOS CURVE harem pants Sandals: Rose Gold Slides, Torrid I’m so self-conscious at times about my weight gain. So,...
August 26, 2018/No comment
Aria Sa’id x TMOBILE #UnlimitedPride
Super Cool Moment? Collaborating with T-Mobile for #UnlimitedPride I got the opportunity to chat at the T-Mobile Signature Store- San Francisco on all things transgender visibility, social...
August 26, 2018/No comment
Marsha & Sylvia Taught Us | Aria’s Journey to #FindingPride
“I need to see my own beauty and to continue to be reminded that I am enough, that I am worthy of love without effort, that I am beautiful, that the texture of my hair and that the shape of my...
August 26, 2018/No comment
Living Lavish, Lavish |Aria’s Journey to #FindingPride
San Francisco Pride Grand Marshal and Awardee festivities are OVERWHELMING. I mean, what do you wear in front of 1.1 million people? Pride weekend was hectic enough, and everything that could go...
August 26, 2018/No comment
Why Transgender History Matters | Aria’s Journey to #FindingPride
Interview w/ Nick Large for the GLBT Historical Society’s coverage on the anniversary of the Compton’s Cafeteria Riots. Picture Details: Aria Sa’id speaking at The Commonwealth...
August 26, 2018/No commentSex Work Is Work| Aria’s Journey to #FindingPride
“If people in powerful positions continue to hire and cast only people who look like them, sound like them, come from the same neighborhoods they grew up in, they will never have a greater...
August 26, 2018/No comment
Yaaasssss Kween! Pride Season for Trans Women of Color |Aria’s Journey to #FindingPride
August 26, 2018/No comment
Pride Was a Riot |Aria’s Journey To #FindingPride
“We have to look out for one another because we’re all we got. the rest of the world really doesn’t give a damn whether we live or die. and the thing is, when the dust settles, i want a whole...
August 26, 2018/No comment
Passing Privilege | Aria’s Journey to #FindingPride
“the other day i started thinking about what passing culture signifies specifically for black trans women. passing is a means to safety, the ability to navigate the world with a bit of rest. it’s...
August 26, 2018/No commentSociety |Aria’s Journey to #FindingPride
“It’s difficult to admit that you will never be a part of the society you’ve grown to know. But what if that freed us? What if looking good on paper became poisonous? What if being that thing the...
August 26, 2018/No comment“Year of the Woman” | Hearst Journalism Awards
Sooooo….. I got the amazing opportunity to collaborate with an incredible photojournalist, Patrick Conley who learned of my story from San Francisco Pride press. He was a finalist for the...
July 24, 2018/No comment
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View more about Aria by exploring the site, or get in touch for bookings, workshops, or to contac Kween Culture or Compton’s Transgender District.