Recently, the administration under President Trump announced a significant change to crisis services, a move that critics argue could severely impact LGBTQ youth. This shift is set to take effect within 30 days.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) revealed in a statement that the LGBTQ Youth Services program under the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, known as “Press 3 Options,” will be repositioned. This program, which was established in 2022 under former President Biden, had provided tailored assistance to LGBTQ youth but now appears to be scaling back.
The announcement, which came out during Pride Month, stated that the initiative would remove references specifically linked to transgender individuals, aligning with the January Presidential Order that asserts the U.S. recognizes only two genders—male and female—and that these identities are fixed.
Since Trump’s presidency began, many government bodies, including the State Department and the CDC, have eliminated mentions of transgender individuals and relevant resources from their websites.
Concerns about the LGBTQ youth suicide hotline have been mounting since April. A proposal from the 2026 Health and Human Services Department’s Budget Office suggested cutting funding for this program. This information was confirmed by the White House earlier this month, although they noted that the overall funding for the 988 Lifeline would remain steady at $520 million annually.
As per the Health Department’s budget, taxpayer dollars won’t support chat services, which, according to a White House spokesperson, do not promote “radical gender ideology without parental consent.”
Since its introduction in 2022, the program has reportedly managed around 1.3 million contacts via phone, text, and online chat. By February, it was averaging approximately 2,100 crisis contacts each day.
A representative from the Trevor Project, a nonprofit supporting LGBTQ youth, expressed in an email that the organization has received a formal directive from the Trump administration halting its participation in providing vital services related to the 988 Lifeline.
“This news is absolutely heartbreaking. Suicide prevention should be focused on individuals, not political agendas,” said Jaymes Black, CEO of the Trevor Project. He expressed confusion over why the administration would dismantle evidence-based services that have been crucial for vulnerable youth.
A report published last year indicated that 39% of LGBTQ individuals aged 13-24 in the U.S. considered suicide within the past year, a figure that jumps to 46% among transgender and non-binary youth. Notably, about half of LGBTQ youth seeking mental health support reported being unable to access it.
The announcement of funding cuts for LGBTQ youth services has ignited significant criticism across party lines.
In a recent letter, over 100 House Democrats urged Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reconsider, citing that the proposed changes could be “fatal” for those in need. Another letter highlighted that cutting the program jeopardizes essential resources for already at-risk youth.
“The removal of services that could save young lives is dangerous, and we ask you to rethink your strategy,” a group of seven Senate Democrats wrote in a separate letter.
Even figures from the entertainment industry have joined the call for the administration to reverse its decision.
Notable performers such as Pedro Pascal, Daniel Radcliffe, Ariana Grande, and Dua Lipa sent an open letter via the Trevor Project urging collective action to ensure youth have access to support during difficult times.
