Tammy Baldwin fights back to restore LGBTQ+ youth crisis hotline

[Jessica_Rose]

Tammy Baldwin fights back to restore LGBTQ+ youth crisis hotline

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/09/tammy-baldwin-fights-back-to-restore-lgbtq-youth-crisis-hotline/

Greg Owen (17 Sep 2025)

Out Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and her Republican colleague Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today introduced bipartisan legislation to restore the vital "option 3" LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention hotline, which was introduced in 2022 and abruptly shut down by President Donald Trump in July.

The new 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act would codify the lifeline's specialized services for LGBTQ+ young people into law and require Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr to dedicate sufficient resources for "establishing, re-establishing, operating, and maintaining" the service.

"There is absolutely no good reason that Donald Trump took away this specialized help for our LGBTQ youth. Mental health does not see partisan lines or geography, and I'm proud to be working with Democrats and Republicans to do what's right and ensure that all kids have access to the help they need – regardless of who is President," she added.

"These services remain pressing," said Jaymes Black, The Trevor Project's CEO. "We are doing everything we can to fill the gaps in crisis care caused by the 'Press 3' shutdown."

"This is not about politics, or identity; this is about doing what is best to support our country's highest risk populations – and save young people's lives nationwide," Black said.

Companion legislation was introduced in the House concurrently by five co-sponsors, including out member Sharice Davids (D-KS).