QUEER LIBERATION NETWORK

WE ARE THE

OUR MISSION

Empowering queer and trans individuals to thrive by providing inclusive support, resources, and advocacy.

OUR VISION

We envision a society where all LGBTQIA2+ individuals are celebrated, supported, and empowered to live authentically, free from oppression and discrimination.

OUR VALUES

  • We believe in the strength of community and cultivate support networks, resources, and solidarity among LGBTQIA2+ individuals. By building strong community relationships, we aim to create a sense of belonging and mutual support that helps queer and trans individuals achieve financial stability and overall wellbeing.

  • We are committed to dismantling systems of oppression that negatively impact the lives of LGBTQIA2+ and all individuals, including capitalism, white supremacy, and other systems built on disenfranchisement. We aim to ensure that all queer and trans folx have the freedom and agency to live authentically and without fear by advocating for economic justice and financial independence for everyone in our community.

  • We strive to empower LGBTQIA2+ individuals to embrace their identities, advocate for their rights, and access the resources and financial support they need to thrive. Our initiatives focus on equipping queer and trans individuals with the tools and resources necessary for financial empowerment and long-term stability.

  • We empower queer and trans individuals with the knowledge and resources needed to achieve financial stability and independence, including financial literacy, educational, and direct financial aid resources.

  • We collaborate with partners, allies, and stakeholders to amplify our impact, leverage collective resources, and advance the rights and wellbeing of LGBTQIA2+ individuals. Through strategic partnerships, we work to provide financial opportunities and support systems that help our community thrive.

“With queer and trans people facing attacks, oppression, and personal hardship across the country, it’s up to all of us to give them a reason to keep going, keep fighting, and a path to the life they deserve.”

— Garrett. R. Chase, Executive Director

OUR TEAM

FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Garrett R. Chase | he/him

Garrett R. Chase is the high-energy, sleep-deprived Founder and Executive Director of Queer Liberation Network, bringing a wealth of experience in advocacy, development, and communications. He founded QLN as a rebirth of his retired direct-aid project, Queer Youth ATX, driven by a deep-rooted passion for uplifting queer and trans people facing similar hardships to his own. 

Garrett’s experience working with nonprofits and political organizations has placed him at the heart of nearly every social justice fight—from the frontlines as an abortion clinic defender to the brutal halls of the Texas Capitol. His drive stems from fierce values and a deep belief in the power of community.

Outside of work, Garrett enjoys immersing himself in queer literature, hosting lively cocktail parties, and exploring central Texas with his partner and their disabled dachshund-mix, Georgia. His commitment to QLN is fueled by a desire to ensure every queer and trans person can live the extraordinary life they deserve through financial liberation and robust community support.

OUR BOARD

BOARD CHAIR

Les Del Fuego | they/them

Les Del Fuego, QLN’s Board Chair, is a dedicated activist and community builder with a flair for creativity and inclusivity. As a Co-Creator of Gays with Clay, a popular clay hand-building event in Austin, Les combines artistry with community engagement, guiding participants through the process of creating unique clay works. Originally conceived to fundraise for their top surgery, Gays with Clay now serves to support others in their journey toward gender-affirming care and living their truth.

Les recently unveiled a stunning 52-foot-long and 16-foot-tall mural featuring the colors of the trans flag, proudly displayed at Scissor Sisters Salon and Spa in North Austin. This powerful symbol of inclusion, created alongside their partner Taryn Wood, stands as a beacon of hope and acceptance for the trans community.

A graphic designer by trade, Les is passionate about using their talents to empower queer and trans individuals, fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance. In their free time, Les enjoys spending time with their partner and dogs, attending queer events in Austin, and living authentically, embodying the very spirit of community they strive to uplift.

BOARD VICE CHAIR

Aaron H. Aceves | he/him

Aaron H. Aceves is a bisexual, Mexican-American writer born and raised in East L.A. He graduated from Harvard College and received his MFA from Columbia University. His fiction has appeared in Epiphany, The Florida Review, and Passages North, among other places. Aaron’s debut novel, This Is Why They Hate Us, released by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, received multiple starred reviews and was named a Best Young Adult Book of 2022 by Kirkus Reviews. 

Beyond his literary achievements, Aaron is a dedicated activist, passionately advocating for justice and most recently amplifying Palestinian voices amidst the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the West Bank. His robust social media presence has transformed into a platform for education and calls to action, driving meaningful change in support of Palestinian liberation.

As Board Vice Chair of Queer Liberation Network, Aaron brings his expertise in advocacy and community engagement, advancing initiatives that foster inclusivity and empowerment for LGBTQIA2+ individuals. Outside of work and activism, Aaron enjoys spending time with his cat, Echo and enjoying everything from karaoke to drag in Austin’s queer scene.

BOARD SECRETARY

Margot V. Piper | she/her

Margot V. Piper is a vibrant force for good in the world of nonprofit leadership and community engagement. A native Austinite with a knack for making friends with every stranger she meets, Margot brings a unique blend of communications expertise and a heartfelt dedication to Queer Liberation Network.

Margot’s career has spanned roles from spearheading Daimler’s car-sharing expansion across North America with car2go to driving national health and environmental initiatives at EnviroMedia. Now, as the Board Secretary of QLN, she channels her expertise into cultivating meaningful relationships and engagement within the LGBTQIA2+ community.

Margot is also the Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Nice N Easy, a cozy bar in the Texas Hill Country started as a pandemic project that grew into a beloved business venture. When she’s not engaging supporters or entertaining folx at Nice N Easy, you can find her with her nose in a library book, befriending stray animals, or dreaming up her next big adventure. Margot’s commitment to QLN is fueled by her passion for creating a more inclusive, supportive world for all.

OUR STORY

Inspired by our founder’s experience of navigating life without a financial support system after coming out to a homophobic family, Queer Liberation Network (QLN) was born from the success of Queer Youth ATX, a direct aid resource for queer and trans young people. We exist to empower LGBTQIA2+ folx through economic support and resources for financial liberation. Our mission is to provide essential assistance to those in our community facing housing instability, medical emergencies, and other financial hardships or needs, ensuring they have the means to not just survive, but thrive. With queer and trans folx under attack across the country, the single best way to support them is through direct, no-strings financial support. Together, we can create a community where every queer and trans person has the opportunity to reclaim agency over their lives and work toward true liberation.

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