Since 2022, the national 988 Lifeline has partnered with the Trevor Project to provide specialized support to members of the LGBTQ+ community. Of the roughly 500,000 calls the Trevor Project handled last year, nearly half were referred from the 988 Lifeline. Those referrals end now.
The Trump administration has been on a bold and blatant mission to erase any support for gay, lesbian, & trans people. Already, the military is carrying out orders to discharge all transgender members from the ranks. DEI initiatives have been scrapped across the federal government by executive order.
Trump and his allies make no secret of their disdain and hatred of anyone who feels like they don’t belong to the narrow and restricting labels of male & female. And never mind labels like straight and gay. In Trump-land, there is only one option: straight.
Today’s action by Trump is not only unkind, it is downright mean and cruel. As with so many policy decisions he’s handed down, this one will cost lives.
What Trump has done to the Republican Party is disgraceful. A once proud party that championed fiscal responsibility and the rule of law and order has become a cult of hate that is causing the national debt to skyrocket while standing idly by as Trump violates his constitutional duties daily. Republican leaders now pledge allegiance, not to a nation, but to a man. Though many prominent GOP leaders may privately disagree with Trump, they toe the line out of fear of incurring his wrath.
So when Trump tramples on the already downtrodden, the only voices in opposition are from Democrats and left-leaning Independents. Republicans are in lock-step support of a man who spews hatred from every pore.
The gay community has a disproportionate share of mental health issues. LGBTQ+ people are routinely discriminated against, demonized, ridiculed, fired, beaten, kicked out of their homes, etc. No wonder there is a need for specialized counselors that, as of now, are no longer available when calling 988.
The Trevor Project will continue its much-needed services to those in need. But not through the national 988 Lifeline.
To get help from the Trevor Project, or to make a donation supporting their work, visit thetrevorproject.org.
Read more about this topic:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/18/well/lgbtq-988-suicide-prevention.html