Overview

• The Department of Health and Human Services’ proposed 2026 budget eliminates dedicated funding for LGBTQ youth support on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline effective October 1, 2025.
• Since its launch in July 2022, specialized services on 988 have supported more than 1.3 million LGBTQ youth and young adults in crisis.
• OMB spokesperson Rachel Cauley said funds will be redirected to general 988 services to avoid contracts “encouraging radical gender ideology” without parental knowledge.
• The Trevor Project and the Jed Foundation have urged Congress and the administration to reverse the cuts to avert further risk, noting that over 1.8 million LGBTQ young people consider suicide annually.
• The budget proposal aligns with President Trump’s broader agenda to roll back LGBTQ protections, including executive orders restricting transgender military service and removing references to LGBTQ identities from federal agency websites.