Trump administration confirms plan to scrap funding for ‘life-saving’ LGBTQ+ suicide hotline
The Trump administration is set to cut funding for a vital LGBTQ+ service. (Getty)
The Trump administration is set to cut funding for a vital LGBTQ+ service. (Getty)
The Trump administration has confirmed a leaked plan to scrap funding for a “life-saving” LGBTQ+ youth-suicide prevention service.
In April, proposals seen by PinkNews suggested that funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline LGBTQ+ Youth Specialised Services would be ended by the beginning of October.
The service, which has helped more than one million youngsters since July 2022, provides emergency support for LGBTQ+ under-18s who are considering taking their own life, by connecting them with suicide-prevention organisations. It is funded through the Department of Health and Human Services, currently led by Robert F Kennedy Jr.
The Department of Health and Human Services has now released their budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026, which outlines the federal government’s proposal to end funding for the services. The proposed cuts would eliminate these services, effective October 1, 2025.
‘Now is the time to act’
Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, said of the cuts: “We do not have to agree on every policy issue to agree that every young American’s life is worth saving. 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 added: “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. Now is the time to act.”
The Trevor Project estimates that more than 1.8 million LGBTQ+ young people in the United States seriously consider suicide each year, and at least one attempts suicide every 45 seconds.
John MacPhee, CEO of The Jed Foundation, is urging lawmakers to reconsider the proposal. MacPhee said: “We urge lawmakers and administration officials to reconsider this proposal and to maintain these services that were carefully considered and wisely codified into law in 2020.”
Suicide is preventable. Readers who are affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org), or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.
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