Through the Looking Glass: Prom Project 2024 Was a Wonderland!

Last month, LGBTQ SAVES invited teens to tumble down the rabbit hole and into a prom like no other.. With an “Alice in Wonderland” theme, our second annual Prom Project brought together 95 LGBTQ youth from all over DFW for a night of dancing, laughter, and queer joy.

A Youth-Led Project

The Prom Project isn’t just a party—it’s a youth-led initiative that started as the Girl Scouts Gold Award project of SAVES member Jupiter Turner. What began as one teen’s vision to create a safe, affirming prom experience for LGBTQ+ youth has blossomed into one of our most anticipated events of the year. We are immensely proud of the youth who spend the better part of the year fundraising, putting together décor, and promoting the event.

What’s it all about?

The Prom Project offers a prom experience where LGBTQ+ teens ages 13–19 can show up exactly as they are—decked out in whatever makes them feel amazing. No judgment. Just celebration, community, and sparkle.

Some Wonderland-Worthy Stats:

• 95 youth attended

• Sold Out - All free tickets were claimed

• 41% were new to LGBTQ SAVES

• 200+ volunteer hours made it all possible

• 98% attendee satisfaction

Made Possible by an Amazing Community

As a community powered organization, we’re so grateful for our event sponsors who helped ensure this party had everything we needed! From hot meals to desserts to décor, our community showed up big time. Special thanks to All People’s Church UU, Anderson's Brewery + Distillery, Selfie Factory, Hive Bakery, Crumble Cookies, Abby Pfaff Photography, Amon Carter Museum of American Art, and so many more.

Why It Matters

Prom is a milestone for American teens but can be a night of anxiety or exclusion for many LGBTQ+ youth. The Prom Project ensures that prom night is a space full of joy, acceptance, and belonging. Thanks to our teen event planners, this event is inclusive of all of our LGBTQ+ siblings as well as those who are neurodivergent.

To Every Volunteer, Donor, and Dancefloor Star—Thank You

Whether you helped hang decorations, served food, or simply showed up ready to celebrate—you made this night unforgettable. Thank you.

Relive the night below!

How to Support LGBTQ Teens — A Conversation with YHELPtalk and Bertie from LGBTQ SAVES

Supporting LGBTQ youth takes more than good intentions — it takes understanding, compassion, and a willingness to listen. That’s why we’re so excited to share this new YHELPtalk interview featuring Bertie from LGBTQ SAVES, where they dive into what it really means to show up for LGBTQ teens.

🎥 Watch now: How to Support LGBTQ Teens ft. @LGBTQSAVES

In this thoughtful conversation, TBertie discusses:

• The unique challenges LGBTQ youth face in their schools, homes, and communities

• The life-changing difference that affirming spaces and trusted adults can make

• Practical ways to support young people in becoming their authentic selves

At LGBTQ SAVES, we believe every LGBTQ youth deserves to feel safe, seen, and celebrated. Bertie's insights remind us that allyship starts with empathy — listening to young people, using inclusive language, and standing up against discrimination in all its forms.

This interview is a great resource for:

• Parents and guardians wanting to be more affirming

• Educators and mentors who work with LGBTQ youth

• Allies eager to learn how to create safer, more welcoming spaces

💬 Take a few minutes to watch, share, and reflect on how you can be part of the solution. Together, we can build communities where every young person knows they belong.

A Community Where All Youth Are Safe

It’s 2010 and LGBTQ teens across the United States are attempting suicide at an alarming rate because of isolation, bullying, and harrassment due to their sexuality.

Sharon Herrera, a lesbian who attempted to take her life as a young teen, knew she had to do something to stop this disturbing trend. LGBTQ SAVES was born from her desire to create a community where all youth is safe.

Eleven years later, and this dream continues to grow. LGBTQ SAVES is a registered 5013c nonprofit that serves LGBTQ youth ages 12-24. While headquarters are in Fort Worth, we work with youth all over Tarrant County and beyond. We have grown from one youth meeting a month to meeting every Thursday and are able to engage with even more youth due to our virtual presence.

We are a social support group that organizes a variety of activities and programs for our members throughout the year. We provide the opportunities for youth to meet others who are similar to them in a safe space, while also providing resources for personal growth, social awareness, and leadership building.

In 2020, we took our first steps in becoming a more accessible organization by establishing a virtual presence that allowed us to connect with youth from all over the country.

It’s 2021 and we are looking forward to eleven more years of helping LGBTQ+ youth. We hope to announce our plans to return to face to face activities soon as concerns over COVID-19 lessen. In the meantime, we are planning to continue to host virtual meetings and events for our members to stay connected during this time.

Continue to watch this blog space as we share stories from our organization and stories of LGBTQ+ people in America.

Bertinand Gardner

LGBTQ SAVES Community Coordinator

To stay up to date on LGBTQ SAVES, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can also sign up for our monthly newsletter here.

To help us continue our mission, donate here. If you shop via Amazon, consider making us your Amazon Smile recipient! Learn more here.

To hear messages of hope from our members, volunteers, and community partners, check out our Youtube.

To learn more about our programs, the membership process, or how to volunteer with us, please email bertinand.gardner@lgbtqsaves.org.