LGBTQ SAVES Youth Pride Festival

LGBTQ SAVES is a Fort Worth nonprofit serving LGBTQ+ youth that hosts youth-centered Pride events. Its 2025 Youth Pride Festival took place on October 11, 2025 in Fort Worth, and it also holds a Youth Pride Picnic for young people and their families during Pride Month.

LGBTQ SAVES began in September 2010, when Sharon Herrera opened her backyard as a safe space for LGBTQ youth after a wave of widely reported LGBTQ youth suicides across the country. That small gathering has grown into a community of young people, families, volunteers and partners serving hundreds of youth each year, and the organization marked its 15th year in 2025 as a community-funded group.

The nonprofit serves LGBTQ youth ages 12 to 24 in Fort Worth through weekly meetings held in person and online, Pride events and inclusive community dinners for youth and their families. During the pandemic its virtual programs connected more than 200 young people. Its Prom Project, launched as the Gold Award project of a transgender Girl Scout, gives LGBTQ+ youth a prom planned by LGBTQ+ youth, and each June the group awards scholarships.

Volunteers are central to the work; in 2025 they gave more than 3,200 hours planning events, mentoring youth and building partnerships. Herrera also works with Fairness Fort Worth on LGBTQ+ protections. LGBTQ SAVES does not keep regular office hours or accept drop-ins, and it asks people to reach out by email.

Youth Pride events are made for LGBTQ+ young people and their families, usually alcohol-free, with activities, performers and supportive community groups.

LGBTQ SAVES Youth Pride Festival has included youth events.

The organizer has not announced dates for 2027 yet. It usually falls october (festival); June (youth Pride picnic).