Celebrities Rally to Protect Funding for LGBTQ+ Youth Crisis Services
In a significant display of solidarity, over 100 celebrities have signed an open letter directed at the Trump Administration and Congress, urging them not to eliminate funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services. A leaked budget draft from April indicated plans to cut federal funding for this essential program, which offers emergency crisis support to LGBTQ+ youth contemplating suicide. These cuts are set to take effect on October 1.
The Trevor Project, an organization focused on LGBTQ+ youth mental health, has formally called on lawmakers to secure funding in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. High-profile signatories to the letter include Ariana Grande, Pedro Pascal, Daniel Radcliffe, Gabrielle Union-Wade, and Jamie Lee Curtis, among many others. The letter emphasizes, “This is about people, not politics,” asserting that no young individual should face crisis without support.
The letter also highlights alarming statistics: over 1.8 million LGBTQ+ youth in the U.S. seriously contemplate suicide each year, with someone attempting it every 45 seconds. The specialized services have aided over 1.2 million individuals with crisis support that is inclusive of queer identities. In fact, the Trevor Project noted a dramatic increase in calls on critical dates, suggesting a direct link between societal upheaval and mental health crises among LGBTQ+ youth.
In its closing, the letter reassures LGBTQ+ young people: “You are not alone. We see you. We value you.” It urges active engagement with life-saving services tailored to their needs. For those in crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 access to free and confidential support.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
