Dems call out Trump administration’s “unconscionable” cruelty as federal LGBTQ+

[Jessica_Rose]

Dems call out Trump administration's "unconscionable" cruelty as federal LGBTQ+ suicide hotline ends

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/07/dems-call-out-administrations-unconscionable-cruelty-as-federal-lgbtq-hotline-ends/

Molly Sprayregen (17 July 2025)

LGBTQ+ advocates are calling out the cruelty of the Trump administration as today marks the end of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services program, which provides emergency crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth at risk of suicide.

While the hotline will remain accessible, LGBTQ+ youth will no longer be redirected to specialized crisis counselors who can help them work through their unique challenges. The Trevor Project, an LGBTQ+ youth suicide hotline, has long worked with the federal government for this specialized program and has said it will lose millions of dollars in federal funding due to the canceled partnership.

Out Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS) called the move "heartbreaking, scary, and deeply harmful."

"Every single person is important," she told Advocate. "It's unconscionable that leaders aren't pushing back against this decision that will cost lives."

"This hotline has already saved countless lives," Pocan said. "Unfortunately, in June, Secretary Kennedy's agency announced plans to terminate the dedicated LGBTQ+ lifeline by July 17, 2025. Since that announcement, my office has reached out multiple times to request a meeting with him to discuss this proposed plan, based on his prior agreement to speak, but we have been unable to get a response."