The Trump administration is once again putting LGBTQ+ lives on the line—this time by proposing to eliminate funding for the LGBTQ subnetwork of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. That service has already supported over 1.2 million queer callers in crisis. But starting October 1, a leaked budget shows that the lifeline may disappear.
According to Karine Jean-Pierre, the Former White House Press Secretary, “For countless LGBTQ+ individuals, the crisis line isn’t just a service — it’s a lifeline…It’s what stands between despair and survival, isolation and hope.” She warns that stripping away this resource would be “devastating” and “lives will be lost.”
Mental health experts agree. Mark Henson from The Trevor Project says LGBTQ youth are four times more likely to consider suicide and the specialized services exist because of this risk. After the 2024 election, calls to The Trevor Project surged 700%. And Lance Preston of Rainbow Youth Project says their teams are already overwhelmed, fielding over 9,000 calls a month.
Experts stress this isn’t about politics—it’s about survival. Dr. José Bauermeister warns, “Dismantling targeted support services under the guise of ‘neutrality’ or ‘efficiency’ ignores the evidence: equitable mental health outcomes require tailored, culturally responsive interventions.” Advocates urge the administration to reverse course.
