About Us
Our Mission
Our mission is to build a collaborative community by and for LGBTQIA+ survivors of sexual and relationship violence in San Diego. We believe community is a pathway for healing, advocacy, and violence prevention. Our members are LGBTQIA+ survivors and their allies who are grounded in survivor-centered, anti-oppression, and Restorative Justice principles.
Our Values
Healing is a hopeful, ongoing practice of restoration. Healing creates space for growth, honoring our journeys, and nurturing wholeness in ourselves and our communities. We recognize that healing can be non-linear and seek to promote healing in its many forms.
Healing
Empathy is listening to each others’ experiences with compassion, care, and without judgment. We are committed to inclusive perspective-taking and actively learning from those most marginalized in our community.
Empathy
Accountability
Accountability is owning up to our mistakes and taking responsibility for our impact while acknowledging context and intent. We show up with integrity, are transparent in our decision-making, and stand firm in our commitment to our community and values.
Restorative Justice is a holistic and collaborative approach used to empower all parties to resolve conflict, attempt to repair and learn from harm, and promote accountability and healing. We acknowledge the root causes of interpersonal violence, including systems of oppression and state-sanctioned violence.
Restorative Justice
Transformation
Transformation is our individual and collective ability to learn, change, and grow. We strive to transform our communities and society without relying on state systems or punitive, carceral methods. Instead, we focus on building sustainable, non-violent relationships and conditions for all.
Our History
Founded in 2014 by Fernando Lopez, Liat Wexler, Walter Castaneda, and Christopher Sheehan under the name #MeTooLGBTQ
Transgender and non-binary individuals and cisgender men experienced being turned away or treated inappropriately by services for survivors
Recognized that services for survivors of sexual and relationship violence were overwhelming set up to serve cisgender, heterosexual women
Connected with local San Diego agencies and organizations to begin the conversation about building a path towards better care for LGBTQ+ survivors of sexual and relationship violence
Initial fiscal partner was the LGBT Center, then moved to San Diego Pride in 2017
Changed name to LGBTQIA+ Survivor Task Force in 2018
Separated from partnership with San Diego Pride in 2025
Changed name to HEART Collective in 2025
