The Trump administration has considered cutting the funding for specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, NPR reported. Anyone in a mental health crisis can call or text 988 and be connected to a trained counselor, but the line has specially trained counselors, often with similar life experiences, for high-risk groups like veterans and LGBTQ+ youth.
The higher risk of suicide for LGBTQ+ youth has been well documented. Psychologist Benjamin Miller says such hotlines make it easier for at-risk youth to get mental health support. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration illustrates the number’s popularity among LGBTQ youth.
It has received nearly 1.3 million contacts from LGBTQ+ people (calls, texts, and online chats) since the launch of the 988 line in 2022. “I’m fearful for the lives that may be impacted if this decision is final,” says Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, which is one of the organizations that provide mental health and crisis services for this population through 988. “We are talking about potentially defunding suicide prevention”, Black stated. Projects come and go, programs get increases and decreases in funding, but what worries the Queer God Squad the most is Mr. Trump’s consistent willingness if not eagerness to do things that will almost certainly hurt the most vulnerable among us.
Poppy Bush’s “kinder, gentler nation” and Clinton’s “leaner not meaner” ideal of government and George W. Bush’s “compassionate conservatism” and President Obama’s optimistic and encouraging reminder, “It’s that fundamental belief that I am my brother’s keeper, I am my sister’s keeper, that makes this country work” all seem like lifetimes ago during this age of weaponized government and celebrated cruelty. But let’s hold on to the higher ideals of nobler leaders from our not-too-distant past, and let us keep LGBTQ youth always in our hearts.
