by The Trump administration has ended federal funding for The Trevor Project’s LGBTQ+ suicide prevention hotline, removing a key support resource for at-risk youth. The decision, which takes effect Thursday, has sparked backlash from mental health advocates, LGBTQ+ organizations, and California lawmakers, while also drawing support from some family advocacy and law enforcement groups concerned about child safety on the organization’s online platform.
The funding cut affects the “Press 3” option on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which previously offered specialized support for LGBTQ+ youth.
- Funding Terminated:
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration notified The Trevor Project in June that the “Press 3” option would be eliminated.
- The change is part of a move to serve all callers under a unified system rather than offering LGBTQ+-specific services.
- Reaction from The Trevor Project:
- CEO Jaymes Black called the decision “devastating” and accused the administration of prioritizing politics over people.
- The organization said the service was evidence-based and helped support a high-risk youth population.
- Criticism and Safety Concerns:
- Critics raised concerns about The Trevor Project’s online community, TrevorSpace, saying it could allow adults to privately message minors.
- Undercover reports claim adults could bypass age restrictions and discuss sexually explicit topics with teens without real-time monitoring.
- Allegations Against Hotline Conduct:
- A California mother claimed she posed as a transgender teen and was advised by a crisis counselor that moving in with a coach and seeking hormone therapy and surgery without parental consent “sounded like a great plan.”
- California’s Response:
- Assembly Bill 727 would require all public school student ID cards (grades 7–college) to include The Trevor Project’s hotline number.
- Governor Gavin Newsom secured $17.5 million for the 988 State Suicide and Behavioral Health Crisis Services Fund.
- Political Reactions:
- California Assemblyman Mark Gonzalez said the federal government is trying to “erase LGBTQ+ Americans.”
- Governor Newsom called the funding cut “inexcusable” and said California will continue to protect vulnerable youth.
What Happens Next:
With federal support ending, The Trevor Project may face operational challenges, while California pushes forward with local support efforts. Meanwhile, the move has intensified the national debate over LGBTQ+ youth services, online safety, and the role of politics in mental health funding.
