I got an early look at the latest episode of Sharing Space, the docuseries from The Trevor Project, and it lands at a moment when conversations around LGBTQ+ youth mental health feel more urgent than ever.
Episode 4, titled “Community,” expands the series’ focus beyond allyship and into something more personal: how LGBTQ+ young people show up for each other when traditional support systems fall short.
To dig deeper, I spoke with Nolan Scott, Senior Director of Marketing and Content at The Trevor Project, who helped shape the episode’s direction.
Why “Community” Became the Focus
Scott told me this installment builds on earlier episodes by shifting the lens inward.
“To date, the ‘Sharing Space’ series has primarily been focused on LGBTQ+ youth educating supportive adults and allies on how to show up for them in meaningful ways,” he said. “This episode expands that framework to include the power of peer support and the agency that LGBTQ+ young people have in building safe spaces and a better future for themselves.”
That shift feels intentional. While previous episodes centered on what others can do, “Community” asks what happens when queer youth take the lead.
It also highlights TrevorSpace, the organization’s moderated social network for LGBTQ+ people ages 13 to 24. Scott described it as “the largest safe space social networking site” for that age group, where users can explore identity and connect with peers.
“For many LGBTQ+ young people, especially those without access to affirming environments in their homes or communities, online spaces can be a lifeline,” he added.
What Support Actually Looks Like
One of the most grounded parts of our conversation focused on what meaningful support looks like in practice. Scott broke it down in a way that avoids abstraction.
“Sometimes it’s as simple as respecting a young person’s pronouns, being welcoming of their partner, or trusting they know who they are,” he said.
But he also pointed to larger structural changes.
“On a broader level, schools and community spaces can invest in gender-neutral facilities, support GSAs, and ensure counselors have LGBTQ+-affirming resources.”
At its core, he said, the goal is universal: “LGBTQ+ young people want what all young people want: to feel safe, seen, and accepted.”
The Moment That Stuck
When I asked what surprised him most, Scott pointed to a quote from a participant named Jasper that reframes how healing works.
“I wasn’t recovering because I loved myself and I wanted to get better,” Jasper says in the episode. “I was pursuing recovery because I had these 14-year-old trans kids looking up to me. And then along the way, you learn that, ‘Oh, it is actually really nice to love yourself.’”
Scott told me that idea stayed with him.
“There’s a tendency to think we need to have everything ‘figured out’ before we are worthy of joining or contributing to a community, but that’s not true,” he said.
It’s a reminder that support isn’t one-directional. Sometimes growth comes from being needed.
Digital Spaces Aren’t a Backup Plan
The episode doesn’t frame online spaces as secondary to in-person connection. Instead, it treats them as essential.
Scott pointed to research from The Trevor Project showing that LGBTQ+ youth in accepting communities attempt suicide at less than half the rate of those in unaccepting ones.
“But that level of support isn’t always a reality for everyone,” he said. “Navigating one’s identity without support can be a challenging and isolating experience.”
That’s where digital platforms come in.
“Online communities can offer connection, friendship, validation, and access to resources that LGBTQ+ youth may not find in person,” Scott explained, noting that many young people turn to the internet when they struggle to relate to those around them.
The Gaps That Still Exist
Despite progress, Scott was clear about what’s still missing.
“One of the biggest gaps is a lack of accessible, practical education for the adults in young people’s lives,” he said. “You don’t have to be an expert in LGBTQ+ identities to be supportive. What matters most is a willingness to listen, learn, and show up with care and respect.”
That idea ties directly into Sharing Space as a series. It’s not just storytelling; it’s a resource.
Where to Start If You Feel Alone
For viewers who may see themselves in the episode, Scott emphasized that connection is possible, even if it doesn’t feel that way at first.
“First, it’s important to know that you are not alone. There is a vast and vibrant community out there for you, both in person and online,” he said.
He suggested starting small: school GSAs, local libraries, community centers, or even hobby-based groups.
“If those spaces don’t feel safe or accessible, online communities can be a powerful option,” he added, again pointing to TrevorSpace as a starting point.
Beyond Awareness
What makes “Community” land is that it doesn’t stop at visibility. It offers something more tangible.
“One of the most meaningful impacts of storytelling like this is providing possibility models for other LGBTQ+ young people,” Scott said. “Stories like these provide hope grounded in an honest reality.”
That honesty includes difficult truths. According to The Trevor Project’s 2024 survey, 39% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, with rates even higher among transgender and nonbinary youth.
“It’s crucial that LGBTQ+ youth know they are not alone and feel comfortable talking about suicide with supportive people in their lives,” Scott said.
What He Hopes You Take Away
By the end of our conversation, Scott returned to a theme that runs through the episode.
“I hope audiences find comfort in seeing that the strong legacy of LGBTQ+ young people who forged progress in the face of adversity across generations is alive and well today,” he told me.
“For allies, I hope it reinforces how meaningful and life-saving their support can be. For LGBTQ+ young people watching, I hope they see themselves reflected in these stories and feel inspired to pursue new paths towards building community in their own lives.”
After watching Episode 4, that message feels less like a takeaway and more like a call to action, one that starts with simply showing up.
