Trump Shuts Down LGBTQ Youth Suicide Hotline Option

(WASHINGTON, July 16, 2025) — Donald Trump’s administration has officially ordered the termination of the LGBTQ+ youth–specific option (“Press 3”) on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, effective July 17, 2025.

Established in 2022, the “Press 3” option connected young LGBTQ+ people with crisis counselors trained to understand and support their unique needs. The service has handled over 1.3 million calls, texts, and chats since its launch.

Mental health experts and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have condemned the decision. Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, called the move “devastating,” saying the administration is “playing politics with life-saving care.”

Research consistently shows that LGBTQ+ youth are at significantly higher risk for suicide. Nearly 40% reported seriously considering suicide in 2024. Experts say general crisis lines, while still available, often lack the cultural competency needed to serve queer and trans youth effectively.

In response, organizations like The Trevor Project and Trans Lifeline are working to fill the gap. Some states are stepping up: California is training its 988 call centers in LGBTQ+ issues, and Illinois has pledged state funding to maintain specialized services locally.

The Biden-era program’s elimination comes amid the Trump administration’s broader rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, which officials are now calling “DIE” — diversity, inclusion, and equity — to emphasize what they claim are its failures.