Who are transSaints?
National Administrator & South Region Coordinator Elder Carmarion D. Anderson
Carmarion D. Anderson-Harvey is a vibrant and visible trans-identified woman of color with a passion for inclusion and equality for all. Carmarion is the Alabama State Director with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). Carmarion becomes the first transgender person of color to serve in a leadership role with HRC in the organization’s history. Before joining HRC and relocating to Alabama, Carmarion worked in the field of Public Health and Education in Texas, managing both local and national prevention initiatives focusing on HIV/AIDS and other health disparities that impact marginalized communities. Carmarion is the founder and previous Executive Director for Black Transwomen, Inc., which is the first national non-profit organization with a 501 (c)(3) with a programmatic focus to uplift the voices, hearts, and souls of black trans women and in alliance with the Black Trans Advocacy Coalition. Carmarion also brings a wealth of experience in faith spaces, currently serving as the National Co-Facilitator and South Regional Coordinator for TransSaints ministry of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries (TFAM). Carmarion has served as an associate elder and minister at the Living Faith Covenant Church in Dallas, Texas, for fifteen years before relocating to Alabama. Carmarion was reared in Dallas, Texas, with family roots from Natchez, Mississippi. Carmarion is a wife, has one son, four bonus sons, and three adorable grandchildren.
Co-Facilitator & West Coast Region Coordinator Lay Pastor Sean Saxtant
Sean R Saxton is the co-founder of Brothas Rising, Inc, a social support organization that works to improve the spiritual, physical, mental, and economic health and well-being of Transgender of color. Sean currently serves as the Lay Pastor for Transgender Ministries and Prayer Ministries at the City of Refuge, United Church of Christ, in Oakland, California.
The focus of the first is to welcome all Transgender and Gender non-conforming persons into the ministry for full participation, seeing themselves as family and a valued part of the ministry. Sean earned a Certificate of Ministry Studies from the Pacific School of Religion, in Berkeley, California.
He is currently pursuing his undergraduate in Organizational Behavior from Colorado Technical University. Sean also looks forward to completing and receiving his Certificate of Gender, Sexuality & the Bible from the Pacific School of Religion in the upcoming months. Sean has been employed with Kaiser Permanente for 25 years, where he currently sits on several committees and associations.
Co-Facilitator & South Region Coordinator Reverand Yunus Coldman
Seeking a path that included multiple spiritual paths, Reverend Yunus Coldman was ordained an Interfaith Minister from The New Seminary of Interfaith Studies, Class of 2011. This began a life whose sole purpose is to bring life and divine love to those who seek his counsel and services.
In September of 2013, Reverend Yunus made the milestone, life changing, life affirming decision to move forward in the process of transition and to become a visible activist for the Transgender community within ministry.
Reverend Yunus is the Northeast Regional Coordinator of Trans Saints - The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries, a community of Transgender faith leaders involved in advocacy focused on the unique perspectives of the African American Transgender community.
He is an Associate Pastor at Rivers of Living Water NY UCC. There he serves as Director of The Circle and the Co-Director of Fluid Lovers of Worship (F.L.O.W).
Currently, Reverend Yunus is a member of the Equality New York Faith-Based LGBTQI Committee. He is an Honorary Board Member of Harlem Pride, Inc. and recently Co- Facilitated TransLatinx Network’s transmasculine group.
Reverend Yunus has provided ministerial support on several committees and boards, including National LGBT Task Force, LGBT Faith Leaders of African Descent, served as a faith leader for New York City First Lady Chirlane McCray’s Unity Project Faith Network Team, and has provided chaplaincy services to the Transgender community at Riker’s Island.
Additionally, Reverend Yunus participates in many panel discussions and workshops from his unique faith experiences and intersections in being Black Transgender and masculine-identified at religious and spiritual gatherings, medical groups, and other LGBTQI+ causes.
In 2018 Reverend Yunus Coldman was awarded the Humanitarian Award “For Many Years of Dedication and Loyalty to the Community” from Princess Janae Place, the 2019 Inaugural National Trans Visibility March Torch Award – The Lois L. Bates Award for his ministerial work in the TGNCNB community specifically and the LGBTQ+ community overall, and 2021 New York Senate Proclamation "Honoring Black Queer and Trans Leaders" from State Senator Robert Jackson.
Reverend Yunus Coldman is CEO of Soulful Touch Services, is a licensed NY Wedding Officiant, and provides ceremonial and spiritual services (counsel, meditation, etc.) He is also a Certified Reiki Master Teacher.
Mid-West Region Coordinator Deacon Ryan Harris
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” - 2 Chronicles 7:14
Ryan Amir Harris (he, him) is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, by way of Sparta, Georgia. He is a proud Trans man of faith currently serving as the Midwest Regional Facilitator of TransSaints.
Educated in the Ohio public school system, he attended the University of Cincinnati. Ryan is a retired corrections officer and co-parent to three nephews.
As a man of faith, he believes in family and community. He strives to develop partnerships that will help Trans individuals within the faith communities connect their faith and ministries with their lived truths and realities.
Ryan was a recipient of the Marcel Cook Daniel Leadership Award in 2019 from the Open & Affirming Coalition U.C.C. He was also recognized in 2021 by the Black Bear Brotherhood of Cincinnati, Ohio, receiving their Vizazi Torch Award at Black Pride for community service.
He is also the author of "Finding My Freedom" found in the book Otherwise Christian 2 by Chris Page.
Ryan is a consecrated Deacon in the Lord's Church under the leadership of Bishop Yvette A. Flunder, Presiding Prelate of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries.