On July 17, 2025, the Trump administration ended suddenly 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services Program. Up until that point, LGBTQ+ youth under the age of 25 had the option of contacting our nation’s federal suicide prevention hotline, 988 Lifeline, by “pressing three” to “text PRIDE,” or by online chatting to connect with a counselor specifically trained to support LGBTQ+ youth through crisis.
Since 2022, 988 Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services has provided evidence-backed specialized services to the nation’s highest-risk groups for suicide, including veterans and LGBTQ+ youth. However, as of July 17, 2025, lifelines for LGBTQ+ youth have been specifically excluded and life-saving services have been cut off. Over 1.5 million LGBTQ+ youth I looked into my darkest moments.
This decision was shocking. Government hostility towards our communities has become to be expected. But is it true that our nation’s leadership, the very institutions tasked with protecting the health and well-being of Americans, are depriving at-risk youth of life-saving services? It was difficult to tackle, to say the least.
Looking back on last year, it was certainly a difficult situation. But as I reflect on everything that’s happened since last July, I honestly find myself remembering many more moments when I felt hope instead of despair. July 17, 2025 was one of the most difficult days in The Trevor Project’s history. But it also marked the beginning of an era in which our community of allies, supporters, colleagues, and partners came forward to champion our work supporting LGBTQ+ youth like never before.
Our community responded with urgency, intensity, and action. As always.
This moment reflected one of the biggest challenges in The Trevor Project’s 28-year history, and served as a powerful reminder of how our community can and will come together to protect LGBTQ+ youth. Just days after the government cut off these life-saving services, we jumped into action and Emergency Lifeline Campaign for LGBTQ+ Youth. Our campaign has raised a total of more than $20.4 million from an estimated 26,000 supporters.
It also:
- safe Over 53,000 signatures 988 Petition to protect Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ youth specialist services.
- received support from 100+ members Members of Congress have called for protecting funding for 988 Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ youth professional services.
- issued open letter More than 100 celebrities and influencers have signed on to support LGBTQ+ youth, including Ariana Grande, Pedro Pascal, Sabrina Carpenter, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union-Wade, Daniel Radcliffe and Dua Lipa.
- We have partnered with state agencies in California and Illinois to begin training 988 Lifeline lay counselors in LGBTQ+ crisis capabilities in those two states, and are working to secure partnerships with more states in the future.
As we look to the future, Trevor and our partners are already leading many initiatives to further support at-risk LGBTQ+ youth.
LGBTQ+ youth suicide is a public health emergency that requires an urgent response. We need to embed suicide prevention efforts for this high-risk group into our nation’s public health infrastructure. It is no exaggeration to say that the lives of young people are at stake right now.
Over the past year in particular, The Trevor Project has worked closely with peer organizations, partners, coalitions, and lawmakers to strengthen our nation’s response to this crisis and connect LGBTQ+ youth to the support they need and deserve. To name a few examples, we partner with advocates and allies for LGBTQ+ youth across the United States to:
- This year, we will pass legislation to fund the restoration of these critical services. None of this would have happened without consistent bipartisan support for this service and the introduction of standalone legislation. house and senate 988 Lifeline’s specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth, including the restoration of “Press 3” services, require a minimum annual funding amount. We are grateful for the bipartisan coalition in Congress that continues to show up to support LGBTQ+ youth.
- Approves New York Governor Cathy Hochul’s request for $1.8 million to support LGBTQ+ crisis response skills training for 988 general lifeline counselors in the state.
- Authorizes $1.2 million to support 988 general lifeline counselors in Washington state with LGBTQ+ crisis competency training, outreach, and other ways to support LGBTQ+ youth.
- Pass legislation in Virginia to ensure educators and school staff complete mental health awareness training that addresses the needs of youth at high risk of experiencing mental health issues, including LGBTQ+ youth.
- Launching the Coalition for LGBTQ+ Youth. It is comprised of 15 organizations that serve LGBTQ+ youth, working together to help them chart a better and brighter future for themselves despite uniquely challenging circumstances.
There is also a move to revive 988 Lifeline’s “Press 3” service, but we are skeptical.
Thanks to the work of bipartisan advocates in Congress, the Administration was directed to restore $33.1 million in funding for 988 Lifeline professional services for LGBTQ+ youth. While we are grateful that there are preliminary signs that “Press 3” services may be reinstated, we remain deeply concerned about how these services will be implemented under the current administration.
In short, the administration has stated that “Press 3” services must comply with the following requirements: January 2025 Anti-Transgender Executive Order This prohibits recognition of gender identities beyond cisgender men and cisgender women.
988 Lifeline Specialized Services was established and signed into law to provide tailored support to groups at highest risk of suicide in this country, including veterans and LGBTQ+ youth. face of transgender youth some of the highest prices Suicide risk for all groups in the United States
these are do not have Services specific to LGBTQ+ youth, if transgender youth are excluded. Full stop.
We will continue to monitor the potential restoration of 988 Lifeline’s “Press 3” service. Additionally, The Trevor Project’s team of experts is ready, capable, and willing to assist anyone who wants to provide the culturally appropriate crisis care they need for LGBTQ+ youth.
But the gap in crisis response for LGBTQ+ youth remains significant, and we must continue to fight tooth and nail to close it.
According to our research, Over 1.8 million LGBTQ+ youth (ages 13-24)) Americans seriously consider suicide each year, and at least one person attempts suicide every 45 seconds. Yet we also know that Almost half (44%) Percentage of LGBTQ+ youth who sought mental health care in the past year but did not receive it.
Regardless of the future of 988 Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ youth specialty services, it is clear that serious disparities in care continue to exist, which are contributing to the suicide crisis among LGBTQ+ youth in this country.
The Trevor Project’s mission has remained the same throughout its 28 years of operation. It’s about working to end suicide among LGBTQ+ youth. This study is not about a single agency, program, or method of providing crisis treatment. It’s about ensuring that LGBTQ+ youth have access to specially trained, compassionate crisis counselors the moment they experience a crisis.
The country’s political environment may be volatile, but The Trevor Project’s commitment to serving all LGBTQ+ youth who need support during their darkest times remains steadfast.
Our counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to any young person who needs us. And we will never stop fighting to create a world where all LGBTQ+ youth feel safe, supported, and loved for who they are.
James Black is the CEO of The Trevor Project, a leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ youth.
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