A safe space grows in the Imperial Valley: Queercasa builds community and belonging
Adrik Vargas
IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – In the Imperial Valley, where the desert meets the border, finding a sense of belonging can be difficult, especially for queer and trans residents. For Angel, it took years to feel truly seen.
“I would hear a lot of derogatory terms when I’d go out,” Angel recalled. “My mom explained what they meant, and I realized for the first time that people saw me as different. It was painful.”
The fear became more personal after a terrifying incident at home. When Angel’s mother suffered a heart attack, a neighbor made a disturbing comment suggesting they could break into the apartment while she was gone.
“That scared me really bad,” Angel said. “I didn’t sleep that night.”
Experiences like those pushed Angel to search for a safe community nearby. But even in local support groups, they often felt judged or misunderstood.
“I remember sharing that I’d just started hormone therapy,” Angel said. “And the response I got was basically that I might regret it someday. It crushed me. I wanted support, not doubt.”
Then, Angel discovered queercasa (purposefully lowercased), a new grassroots group working to create safe, affirming spaces for queer and trans people in Imperial County. From the very first meeting, things felt different.
“It just felt like friends getting together for dinner,” Angel said.
Queercasa hosts game nights, clothing swaps, and karaoke events for Hispanic Heritage Month. They’re small gatherings with a big impact.
“Someone got their first dress at one of the swaps,” Angel shared. “For someone in our community, that’s a huge moment…to finally feel comfortable enough to be yourself.”
For Angel and many others, queercasa represents more than just a local organization. It’s a new beginning for the Valley’s LGBTQ+ community.
“Ultimately, it’s about all of us coming together,” Angel said.
Even in a place where acceptance hasn’t always come easily, Angel says there’s hope.
“There are people here in their 60s who’ve stayed, who’ve built community despite everything,” they said. “We’re still here, and we’re going to keep showing up for one another.”
A new chapter is taking shape in the Imperial Valley, one rooted in acceptance, connection, and care.
If you want to get involved with queercasa, you can head to their website.