By Elijah Quintanilla
For Sharon Herrera, creating LGBTQ SAVES grew from both years of advocacy and an intensely personal understanding of what can happen when LGBTQ+ people feel isolated and unsupported. Herrera, the organization’s founder and executive director, currently works for Fort Worth ISD. In collaboration with advocates Tom Anable, David Henderson, and Jon Nelson of Fairness Fort Worth, she challenged the district to adopt a nondiscrimination policy protecting staff members and students. Their efforts helped advance greater equity within the school district.
That advocacy became even more urgent following nine LGBTQ+ youth suicides across the country in 2010. The tragedies reminded Herrera of her own suicide attempt and the absence of support she had experienced during one of the most painful periods of her life.
“When tragedy reminded me of my own struggle, I chose to build hope,” Herrera said. “I didn’t start LGBTQ S.A.V.E.S. because it was my dream—I started it because lives depended on it.”
Recognizing that many young people still lacked affirming spaces, dependable resources, and supportive adults, Herrera founded LGBTQ SAVES to provide advocacy, education, connection, and hope. Turning personal pain into purpose became the foundation of an organization committed to ensuring that LGBTQ+ youth throughout Fort Worth and surrounding communities never feel they must face life alone.
“Turning pain into purpose and helping save lives has been the most meaningful work of my life,” Herrera said.
Since its creation, LGBTQ SAVES has remained focused on providing brave and safe environments where young people can feel valued, build friendships, develop leadership skills, and access supportive resources.
The organization’s leadership also includes Program Director Bertie Gardner, alongside volunteers, community partners, and supporters; they work to create a community where LGBTQ+ youth can safely become their authentic selves.
“We believe that every young person deserves a community that celebrates who they are and helps them thrive,” Gardner said.
Creating Connection and Opportunity
LGBTQ SAVES serves LGBTQ+ youth ages 12 to 24 through weekly youth meetings, virtual and in-person opportunities for connection, family-focused programming, scholarships for active participants, community gatherings, workshops, and special events throughout the year.
Participants also receive access to affirming service providers, mentors, peers, and community resources. The organization’s programming is designed to remove barriers while giving young people opportunities to grow personally, socially, and emotionally.
Whether youth are attending a tea party for young adults, participating in the Youth Pride Picnic, taking part in a workshop with the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, or celebrating through the organization’s Prom Project, each gathering reinforces the same message: they belong.
“Our goal is to remove barriers and ensure that every young person knows they are not alone,” Gardner said.
More Than a Meeting Place
For LGBTQ SAVES, a brave and safe space is more than a physical location. It is an environment where young people can show up as their authentic selves without fearing judgment, discrimination, or rejection.
The organization establishes clear community guidelines, vets its volunteers, encourages respectful dialogue, and creates opportunities for youth to develop lasting relationships with affirming adults and peers. Participants are also encouraged to explore their identities, build confidence, strengthen leadership skills, and support one another.
“For us, it is building a community where all youth not only feel safe but are safe,” Gardner explained.
That distinction is especially important for young people who may experience bullying, social isolation, family conflict, mental health concerns, or difficulty finding affirming environments elsewhere in their lives.
Responding to Continued Challenges
LGBTQ+ youth in Fort Worth and surrounding communities continue to face many long-standing challenges, including bullying, loneliness, family conflict, and limited access to spaces where they can safely express who they are.
According to Gardner, those concerns have become more complicated in recent years as families navigate changes within Texas’ legislative and educational landscape. Debates surrounding LGBTQ+ inclusion in schools, restrictions affecting transgender youth, and state actions involving LGBTQ+ young people have created uncertainty and fear within many households.
For some families, the environment has become so difficult that they have chosen to move out of state in search of communities where they believe their children will have greater support and opportunities to thrive.
LGBTQ SAVES responds by providing consistency. Its programs give young people dependable opportunities to build friendships, celebrate their identities, access resources, and spend time with people who understand their experiences.
The organization’s goal is not only to help LGBTQ+ youth navigate difficult circumstances. It also wants each participant to recognize their value, discover their voice, and imagine a future filled with possibility.
Watching Young People Become Leaders
One of LGBTQ SAVES’ greatest accomplishments has been the continued growth of its programs and the number of young people and families it has reached.
Staff members and volunteers have watched participants arrive feeling isolated or uncertain before gradually becoming confident leaders who mentor and encourage others. Each young person’s progress represents an important success for the organization.
“We are extremely proud of and celebrate every young person who is able to grow within our programs,” Gardner said.
LGBTQ SAVES is also proud of the partnerships it has built throughout the Fort Worth community. Those relationships help expand available resources, strengthen programming, and connect families with affirming services.
A Community-Powered Mission
LGBTQ SAVES is a volunteer-powered organization, and its programs remain accessible because community members choose to invest their time, skills, and resources in LGBTQ+ youth.
Supporters can volunteer at events, serve as mentors, contribute professional expertise, become sponsors, form organizational partnerships, or make financial donations. Local businesses can also help expand the opportunities and resources available to young people and their families.
The organization works to keep its programs free for those who need them most. Donations support weekly meetings, scholarships, family programming, community events, and youth activities.
“Whether you volunteer or make a donation, your contribution allows us to continue building a community where young people know they are valued, supported, and never alone,” Gardner said.
For LGBTQ SAVES, community support can have an impact far beyond funding an event. One affirming adult, welcoming gathering, or supportive peer group can provide connection and hope when a young person needs it most.
Building a Future Filled With Possibility
Looking ahead, LGBTQ SAVES hopes to expand its reach, strengthen family-support initiatives, increase access to affirming resources, and continue developing partnerships throughout North Texas and beyond.
Its vision remains clear: a community where all young people are safe and have the opportunity to thrive. Every youth who enters an LGBTQ SAVES program should leave knowing they belong, their identity has value, and their future is filled with possibility.
Support LGBTQ SAVES
Community members can help LGBTQ SAVES continue providing free programs, scholarships, events, mentorship, and affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and their families. Visit LGBTQSAVES.org to explore upcoming events, learn about volunteer and partnership opportunities, or make a donation supporting the organization’s mission.