Pride Center San Antonio
About Pride Center San Antonio
Pride Center San Antonio gives LGBTQ+ people and their families access to free counseling, case management, peer support, youth programming, and affirming training. That matters because the help is low-barrier and close to home, from rental and utility referrals to therapy and name-and-gender-marker change clinics. For donors, the appeal is straightforward, this is practical support that meets people where they are in San Antonio and across South Texas.
What sets Pride Center San Antonio apart is how much it holds under one roof without charging for access. It offers direct services, peer support, training, and community-based research, while also serving a wide range of ages and identities across South Texas.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Community case management
Free case management, resource referrals, peer-to-peer support, community health worker support, and direct aid connections for needs such as rental and utility assistance, groceries, medication, school supplies, and emergency shelter.
Free therapy services
Free counseling for LGBTQ+ people and their families, including individual, couple, and family therapy provided through a counseling internship program under clinical supervision.
Group therapy
Free group therapy for LGBTQ+ community members, including groups for youth and young adults, with topics such as mental and emotional well-being, safety, discrimination, coming out, transitioning, services, and resilience.
Peer support groups
Peer-to-peer support groups for specific communities within the LGBTQ+ population, including Black, Queer, & Here, Kuir en Comunidad, Trans Allies, Trans Masc Folks y Más, and Women in Transition.
Youth programming
Free educational, social, and mental health programming for LGBTQ+ youth ages 12 to 24, including the Youth Empowerment with Pride Conference and Pride Pulga.
Binders for Brothers SA
A free chest binder program for transgender, nonbinary, and gender diverse individuals in need.
Gender Affirmation Project
Free name and gender marker change clinics for transgender and gender nonconforming individuals, offered in partnership with St. Mary’s University School of Law Pro Bono Program and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Training
Customized DEI and Safe Zone training for organizations, businesses, and community groups on inclusive language, coming out, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and LGBTQ+ affirmation.
Bystander Intervention Training
Training in bystander intervention in partnership with Right to Be.
Healing Circle
A regularly meeting supportive space for coping with life events, processing emotions, and sharing experiences using guided, holistic, and grounding approaches.
Community-based research
Community research on the health and wellness needs of LGBTQ+ people in South Texas, including surveys and publications developed with research partners and a community advisory board.
Pride Pulga
A free flea-market style event that gives young artisans, crafters, designers, and entrepreneurs an opportunity to vend and build alternative queer economies.
Youth Empowerment with Pride Conference
A free conference for LGBTQ+ youth ages 12 to 17 that includes educational topics, local youth vendors, and opportunities to connect with LGBTQ+ advocates.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
Pride Center San Antonio champions well-being by providing inclusive, no-cost services and programs for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions. Through education, advocacy, and community building, it creates spaces of belonging, joy, and empowerment for South Texas's diverse LGBTQ+ community.
Who they serve
LGBTQ+ people, questioning individuals, and their families in San Antonio and South Texas, including youth ages 12 to 24, transgender and gender nonconforming people, and community members seeking affirming support and services.
Their impact
- 7,000+ LGBTQ+ people directly impacted through programs and services
- 4,000+ people attended events
- Over 1,500 hours of free, low-barrier counseling provided in one year
- Over 700 eligible participants surveyed in community-based research
- An 1,800+ respondent LGBTQ+ survey was released in 2020
How your donation helps
- Free counseling and case management
- Peer support groups
- Youth programming
- Health and wellness initiatives
- Community events
- Emergency fundraising toward a permanent home
- Ongoing accessible, low-barrier programming
Our story
In 2009, a small group of concerned citizens in the San Antonio area started talking about creating a center for the local LGBT community, and they met often at founding member Joseph Garrett’s house to plan what came next. By February 2011, thirteen people had formed a board. The organization became a Texas nonprofit in 2012, opened its doors in 2014, expanded peer support and training spaces in 2017, and later added free case management, group therapy, and individual and family counseling.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Pride Center San Antonio’s services.
Community members can contact the center by phone or email, use the case management intake form, or join the waitlist for appointments. The center offers free case management, free therapy for eligible LGBTQ+ people and their families, and peer support groups, with some services requiring registration or an intake form.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
Our goal is to create a future where LGBTQ+ people and their families thrive in a community of belonging, where liberation, safety, and dignity are lived realities for all people.
We're here to connect you with the help you need.
Events
Icon’s Brunch
annualAn annual fundraiser supporting programming and community services.
Youth Empowerment with Pride Conference
annualA free conference for LGBTQ+ youth ages 12 to 17.
Pride Pulga
periodicA free youth vendor event in a flea-market setting.
PRIDE Families Fall Festival & Trunk-or-Treat
annualA family-friendly LGBTQ+ Halloween event.
Healing Circle
regularA supportive space that meets regularly at the Pride Center.
Trans Allies
monthlyA peer support group for trans people and their loved ones.
Women in Transition
monthlyA peer-facilitated support group for feminine-spectrum trans and nonbinary people.
Black, Queer, & Here
biweeklyA support group centering Black queer adults.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Pride Center San Antonio has shared.
Current needs
- Support for the emergency fundraiser campaign
- Monthly recurring donations to sustain counseling, case management, groups, and events
- Sponsorships for community programs and events
- Volunteers for drop-in support, program support, special events, and professional skills
Volunteer opportunities
- Greeter
- Phones
- Data entry
- Newsletter mailings
- Office administration
- Drop-in volunteer
- Program support
- Special events support
- Photographer
- Lawyer
- Class facilitator
- Fundraising party host
Recognition & press
Press & mentions
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
How do people access case management services?
People can reach out through the contact form, phone, or email to connect with the social work intern team, get help finding resources, and join the waitlist for an appointment.
Who can use the free therapy services?
The therapy program is for LGBTQ+ people, questioning individuals, their partners or spouses, and close family members, including chosen family, who meet the stated eligibility requirements.
What does the Gender Affirmation Project offer?
It offers free name and gender marker change clinics for transgender and gender nonconforming people in partnership with legal organizations.
What kinds of peer support groups are available?
The center hosts groups for Black queer adults, Spanish-speaking LGBTQ+ community members, trans allies, trans masculine people, and women in transition, along with hosted community groups.
What age range do youth programs serve?
Youth programming is for ages 12 to 24, and the Youth Empowerment with Pride Conference is for ages 12 to 17.
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