Protesters rally outside Trump Tower to fight for ‘life-saving’ LGBTQ+ crisis line

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Trump Tower in New York to demand the administration cancels imminent plans to close the 988 suicide prevention hotline’s option for LGBTQ+ youngsters.

The LGBTQ+ Youth Specialised Service hotline, known as the Press Three Option, was set up in conjunction with The Trevor Project to help prevent suicide among queer young people and is part of a wider national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Last month, following the leak of governmental budget details, which outlined plans to eliminate all funding for LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention services through 988, the chief executive of The Trevor Project, Jaymes Black, said they were “devastated and heart-broken” to confirm it would close.

“This means that, in 30 short days, this programme that has provided life-saving services to more than 1.3 million LGBTQ+ young people will no longer be available for those who need it,” Black said. “Suicide prevention is about people, not politics.

“The administration’s decision to remove a bipartisan, evidence-based service that has effectively supported a high-risk group of young people through their darkest moments is incomprehensible.”

The service is set to close on Thursday (17 July).

Thank you @MarkLevineNYC for always standing with and for people in need. Special thanks to the unions and organizations that organized today’s rally! #HandsOff #988 #TrevorProject #LGBTQIA #TransYouth pic.twitter.com/xPJvakDLle

— Christopher (he/him) (@darkknight316) July 12, 2025

The Hands Off 988 protest was held outside Trump’s famous building on Fifth Avenue on Saturday (12 July).

“It this programme goes away, the question is, will they feel comfortable reaching out,” CBS reported Mark Henson, The Trevor Project’s interim vice-president for advocacy and government affairs, saying. “LGBTQ youth in our country are experiencing a mental-health crisis. That’s the reason why these services were set up, so that tailored care can be available to help keep them alive.” 

Meanwhile, Rachael Fried, the executive director of Jewish Queer Youth, said: “Cutting services for LGBTQ youth through the 988 Suicide & Crisis hotline will have deadly consequences. The fact that it exists, sends a message that queer youth actually matter.” 

According to Reuters, a White House spokesperson for the Office of Management and Budget said the lifeline would continue to get money but claimed: “The president’s budget funds the 988 at $520 million (£386 million), the same as under [former president Joe] Biden. It does not, however, grant taxpayer money to a chat service where children are encouraged to embrace radical gender ideology by counsellors without [the] consent or knowledge of their parents.”

In a statement, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration said: “Everyone who contacts the 988 lifeline will continue to receive access to skilled, caring, culturally competent crisis counsellors who can help with suicidal, substance misuse or mental-health crises or any other kind of emotional distress. Anyone who calls will continue to receive compassion and help.”  

Celebrities including Ariana Grande, Pedro Pascal and Daniel Radcliffe signed an open letter urging lawmakers to protect the estimated $50 million (£37 million) in federal funding for the hotline.

LGBTQ+ young people can contact 988 for specialised crisis services until its closure, and will be able to do after that but without the specialised services. They can contact The Trevor Project at any time.

Suicide is preventable. Readers who are affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (samaritans.org), or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (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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