LGBTQ+ 988 Crisis Services Planned to be Abolished by Trump Administration
The Trump administration quietly makes controversial decision during WorldPride to finalize plans to eliminate all federal funding for LGBTQ+ youth-specialized services on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelime, effective October 1.
The draft proposal was leaked back in April from The Department of Health and Human Services’ Fiscal Year 2026 budget. This move sparked disapproval among many mental health advocates, public health experts, and LGBTQ+ organizations, who have great concern for the endangerment of young queer lives. They are especially vulnerable at a time when suicide remains one of the leading causes of dearth among LGBTQ+ youth; the decision removes support from a proven, evidence-based program.
CEO of The Trevor Project, Jaymes Black, calls the move a “fatal proposal.” Black says, “It is deeply upsetting to see the administration reverse course on an evidence-backed, bipartisan program that has successfully provided life-saving crisis care to 1.3 million LGBTQ+ young people and counting.” Black adds, “Since the news of this proposal leaked, The Trevor Project has been fighting back- each and every day—to urge our nation’s leaders to reject this fatal proposal. In a nation where our children’s tears fall without distinction of how they identify, we must rise with one voice—across every faith, every belief, and every political line—now is the time for the full volume of our conviction.”
The 988 Lifeline, launched in 2022 as a national mental health emergency line, was created to provide inclusive, accessible crisis services. One of it’s most impactful features allowed callers to “press 3” or text the word “PRIDE” that connected callers to LGBTQ+-trained counselors. Since its launch, the lifeline has supported over 1.3 million calls, texts, and chats. Defunding these services sends a dangerous message that can potentially have fatal consequences. Critics argue that this decision isn’t rooted in fiscal prudence or evidence-based policymaking but rather in a ideological campaign against queer and trans visibility.
The timing of the decision coincided with WorldPride, which raised alarms for many looking at Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, The Trevor Project worked hard to intensify their campaign to save the 988 lifeline. The group had handled almost 50 percent of the volume in 2024 and trained over 250 crisis counselors. Similarly, The Jed Foundation emphasized the importance of affirming support structures for LGBTQ+ youth. “Research and data clearly show that LGBTQ+ youth experience higher levels of distress and risk for suicide. This is why the national 988 Crisis and Suicide Lifeline offers LGBTQ+ specialized services,” states John MacPhee, CEO of The Jed Foundation. “More than one million crisis calls have been routed to these LGBTQ+ focused services since 2022 … the current budget proposal to eliminate funding … puts young lives in danger.”
The Trevor Project formed a petition, an emergency fundraising appeal, and an open letter signed by over 100 high-profile figures across entertainment, sports, fashion, and food. The signatures include Ariana Grande, Daniel Radcliffe, Gabrielle Union-Wade, Dwayne Wade, Ariana DeBose, Pedro Pascal, Orville Peck, Christina Aguilera, Dylan Mulvaney, Alan Cumming, Sophia Bush, Nathan Lane, Paris Hilton, Margaret Cho, and Troye Sivan.
Preserving and expanding these services should be a national priority—not only to save lives but to affirm the dignity of every youth, regardless of who they are or who they love.
If you or someone you know needs mental health resources and support, please call, text, or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit 988lifeline.org for 24/7 access to free and confidential services. Trans Lifeline, designed for transgender or gender-nonconforming people, can be reached at (877) 565-8860.
