Overview

• Ariana Grande, Paris Hilton and Jamie Lee Curtis are among the signees of the Trevor Project’s open letter challenging the US government’s proposed withdrawal of federal funding for the 988 LGBTQ+ crisis hotline.
• The 988 hotline has supported approximately 1.3 million young people since its launch in 2022 and responds to more than half of its calls through the Trevor Project.
• Federal removal of financial backing for the service has prompted warnings in the petition that such a move could have devastating nationwide effects on queer youths facing suicidal thoughts.
• The hotline serves as a critical resource for an estimated 1.8 million LGBTQ+ youths who experience suicidal ideation annually.
• The letter stresses that the issue transcends politics and underscores the life-saving impact of specialized mental health support for LGBTQ+ youth.