East County Queer & Trans Coalition
The East County Queer & Trans Coalition is a coalition of diverse LGBTQIA+ community members and allies living in or from East County. Our primary goal is to support marginalized communities and connect LGBTQIA+ folks in East County.
The original catalyst for the formation of ECQTCo was the hate-motivated mass shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs on the Trans Day of Remembrance in 2022. As a new wave of anti-trans sentiments swept across the nation and descended on East County through early 2023; between the targeting of Christynne Wood in Santee and the targeting of our youth through the corruption of local school boards— it became evident now was the time for an organization to support our Queer and, specifically, our Trans Communities in East County.
Since our formation, we’ve hosted social events where LGBTQIA+ folk can come together; out and proud of who they are. We’ve hosted informational meetings on local threats to our community and actions of local school boards. We’ve met with local leaders, elected officials and political candidates to advocate for the needs of our community and conducted outreach and surveys to understand how best to serve our community’s unique needs. In addition to continuing our outreach and advocacy, we are currently working to revive San Diego’s historic Dyke March after 15 years of dormancy. We welcome anyone who participated in the original marches or is interested to join us in reviving this space for visibility.
The East County Queer & Trans Coalition will no longer allow white supremacy and hatred to be what defines this beautiful part of San Diego County. We will not tolerate another generation growing up being shamed for being themselves and ashamed of where they are from. We are working to make East County safe and free from prejudice.