Easter Sunday brings the third annual GLBT Community Children’s Easter Egg Hunt, taking place at Trolley Barn Park in University Heights at 2:00 p.m. Founded and coordinated by Nicole Murray-Ramirez, a city commissioner, and Linda Childers, president of the Imperial Court de San Diego, the event draws hundreds of children and families for a day of community fun.

What started as a simple idea is now a huge annual event for the GLBT community, their friends and family. Three years ago, after watching the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on television, Murray-Ramirez proposed an Easter egg hunt for the children of the GLBT community in San Diego. He shared his thoughts with Childers, who became chair of the committee to plan the event. Childers is a strong supporter of the GLBT community, and has been the backbone to make the Easter Egg Hunt happen for local San Diegans.

The GLBT Community Easter Egg Hunt is free, and all Easter baskets and toys are donated. It is a nonprofit community event, and Childers explained it is a day to bring together people of all types and watch families and friends enjoy themselves. “It doesn’t matter if you’re from leather or lace, whatever your gender identity, color, sex, or ethnicity, it’s all the same,” she said. In her eyes, it’s a day to bring the GLBT community, family, friends and children together in cohesion to boost morale and show the world how strong the community is.

“Truly, it shows that the gay and lesbian community make up part of the fabric of the American family” Murray-Ramirez said.

No specific games or contests will be conducted at the event, but the Easter Bunny will show up and bear gifts for all the children in attendance. There are three different age groups: 1-4 years of age, 5-7 years of age, and 8-13 years of age. Each child receives an egg from the Easter Bunny, who this year is Chris Horton, emperor of the Imperial Court de San Diego. These eggs contain a number and are gender-oriented when handed out. They are then redeemed for Easter baskets, which are given out by the Easter Bunny. This year there will be 16 bicycles and wagons, donated by The Eagle, a local bar, and Robert Rodriguez, Mr. Southern California Leather 2004. Together, Rodriguez and The Eagle raised funds to purchase the bikes by organizing raffles and beer busts.

Over 300 people attended last year’s event and more than 400 are expected to attend this Sunday.

Other businesses that have helped make the event happen through donations and volunteering include The Center, the Greater San Diego Business Association, the San Diego Democratic Club and Family Matters, who is co-sponsoring the event.

Last year, approximately $8,000 was donated to fund the event.

The third annual GLBT Community Children’s Easter Egg Hunt takes place Sunday, March 27, at 2:00 p.m. at Trolley Barn Park in University Heights. Contact Linda Childers at (619) 654-1235 to make a donation to the event or for further information.