Our history and biography

Our History, Nuestra Historia

Our History, Nuestra Historia

 

From four trans women excluded from an LGBTQ+ event, to more than 300 community members showing what we can do when we come together, Organización Latina Trans in Texas has grown and responded to years of change.

  • Jan 2015: Anandrea Molina and other transgender women were banned from a women’s restroom in a public space that promotes LGBTQ+ programming in Houston, TX.

    In response to the restroom incident and ongoing injustices against trans women of color, the first gathering of approximately 70 trans Latinx immigrant women occurred. Organización Latina de Trans in Texas (OLTT) was formed.

    2016: Defensa de Deportación program begins, dedicated to freedom for undocumented Latinx LGBTQI+ immigrants held in detention centers and at risk of deportation, especially trans Latinx women.

    April 2017: The Casa Anandrea shelter opens by welcoming two trans Latinx sisters who were granted asylum but had nowhere to go after they left their respective detention centers. Casa Anandrea is the only LGBTQIATS+ migrant shelter in the Houston community and prioritizes providing housing to undocumented persons living with HIV.

    2017: Dallas OLTT chapter is founded.

    OLTT’s Name and Gender Marker (NGM) program begins, assisting with approximately 10 official document changes per year.

    August 2017: Hurricane Harvey. Casa Anandrea opens its doors to ALL unhoused or displaced people and provides meals for 50 people for the two weeks following.

    2018: Austin chapter of OLTT formed.

    2019: OLTT expands to include a trans masculine group, an empowerment group for people living with HIV, and a sexual assault survivorship program. The organization partners with local clinics to connect members with mental health care, hormone affirming therapy, and HIV care.

    Summer 2021: Casa Anandrea opens its doors to serve as an emergency shelter for Latin American migrant families with children dropped off buses from ICE detention with nowhere to go.

    Dec. 2021: In partnership with a United Way grant, OLTT distributes nearly $65,000 in direct aid to more than 200 community members hurt by the disastrous Feb. 2021 winter storm.

    2022: As organization for trans rights becomes a headline issue, OLTT receives recognition and support from both national figures such as Lil Nas X and allies using much smaller platforms to make a big impact, such as a bakery in Minnesota, a games designer in Seattle, and more than 1500 small donors across the world. Alongside grants from local and national nonprofit organizations, this allows several community leaders to officially join OLTT’s staff and expand our programming. Programs centering food security, shelter, health, and legal protection expand. A pilot program to provide a safety hotline to sex workers begins. OLTT sets a goal to double the number of name and gender marker changes it has assisted with over 2022. Total active membership is more than 300 people and growing.

    2023: Throughout 2023, OLTT's intersectional trans-led community outfaced a hostile Texas government with love, solidarity, and iron will. This year: 87 people received free legal assistance. 50 people connected to gender-affirming medical care. 60 people changed their name and gender marker on official documentation. 30 people were liberated from immigration detention centers through sponsorships. 51 people found shelter at Casa Anandrea . 160 people/month attended trans women's leadership meetings. 20 people/month attended trans men's leadership meetings. 20 people/month attended sexual assault survivors' support groups. 30 people/month attended latinx gay and nonbinary support groups. We celebrated 5 weddings. 460 members took part in our community.

 

Meet the Staff

 

  • Anandrea Molina, the founder and executive director of OLTT, entered the United States as an undocumented trans woman immigrant and has survived abuse, addiction, homelessness, and trauma. Since founding OLTT in 2015, she has turned her lived experience to fighting for justice, nurturing community and fostering a unified society where every person can be treated with respect and dignity. Her work has earned recognition and awards from the City of Houston, the New York City Council, Cólectivo Intercultural Transgrediendo, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, La Escuela de Cambio Social y Educacion Popular, Houston Pride Festival/Festival de Orgullo, Houston Transgender Unity Committee, and the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus.

 

  • Gia Pacheco is a trans Latinx woman from a migrant family who tailors her activism to the needs of vulnerable communities, particularly those of trans Latinx migrants. She is proud to have grown up in the East End neighborhood of Houston, where she lives and works. She is a member and peer coordinator of OLTT and often acts as the voice of the organization to media and the public alongside her work as the director of the name and gender marker change program.

 
 
 
 
 
 

  • My name is Rigoberto Reyes, AKA Monika Adams, an immigrant originally from Michoacán, México. I consider myself a queer person and do not have problems with any pronouns. I have about fifteen years of experience performing in drag shows and participating in activism in the LGBTQIA community. I have been part of OLTT for five years and act as the office manager. The dedication, the work, and the focus Anandrea Molina has put into the community have made me a permanent part of the organization. It’s a privilege to form a part of the change that OLTT is creating for the good of our immigrant Latinx community.

 

  • Danny Lopez is a gay cis man originating from México and residing in the United States for more than 20 years. He is both an ally of OLTT and a staff member of Casa Anandrea since its beginnings.

    As part of the collective LGBTQ+ community, I have personally witnessed the problems that continually threaten our freedom of expression and the infringement of our basic human rights. I feel trans people are the most vulnerable members of the LGBTQ+ community. I am honored to be a member of OLTT and part of the diverse activities and ongoing programming that continually expands to meet the needs of the community. I am especially proud to be part of Casa Anandrea. This project promotes the visibility of our community and embodies the ultimate goal of OLTT: to create a safe space.

 
 

Meet the Board

Noemi Garza, trans Latina migrant woman of 53 years, originally from Laredo, Tamaulipas, México. A word that represents Noemi is strength. I am a strong trans Latina woman and I am dedicated to fighting for what I love and believe in. I have been part of OLTT since its beginnings. 

Barby Ledesma, trans Latina migrant woman of 49 years, originally from Valle de Santiago, Guanajuato, México. A word that represents Barby is tranquility. I am a tranquil trans woman, I like the challenges of my work and I have been part of OLTT since its beginnings. 

Vanessa Garcia, trans Latina migrant woman of 45 years, originally from Veracruz, México. A word that describes Vanessa is intelligence. I am an intelligent trans woman. I like to meditate and reflect, and I’m passionate about observing before acting. For these reasons, I consider myself an intelligent woman. I have been part of OLTT since its beginnings and I will continue here for as long as I have the ability. 

Kassandra Rivas, trans Latina migrant woman of 48 years, originally from Allende, Coahuila, México. A word that defines Kassandra is stubborn. I am a stubborn trans Latina woman, I do not give up, I hold tight to what’s mine and to my dreams. Nothing will stop me and I always keep moving forward. I have been part of OLTT since its beginnings.