SOS for the LGBTQ+ Youth Hotline: Stars Speak Out
Celebrity figures, including Ariana Grande, voicing endorsements for an LGBTQ+ hotline.
Berlin (dpa) - A-list celebrities like pop sensation Ariana Grande (31), fashion icon Paris Hilton (44), and Academy Award-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis (66) are voicing their concern for maintaining the LGBTQ+ suicide hotline in the United States. They have signed an open letter from aid organization "The Trevor Project" urging continued funding for the service. Suicidal LGBTQ+ youth can reach out for help by dialing 988.
According to recent reports, the hotline's specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth could be facing significant funding cuts. The petition reads, "We are alarmed by the proposal to eliminate federal funding for the LGBTQ+-specialized services of the 988 suicide and crisis hotline." Such a move could be catastrophic for young people across the nation. "This is about people, not politics," it stresses.
Over 1.3 Million Youth Saved So Far
The petition highlights that since its launch in 2022, the service has already helped nearly 1.3 million youth grappling with suicidal thoughts. Each year, an estimated 1.8 million LGBTQ+ youth contemplate suicide [CBS]. It's reported that the Trevor Project receives half of the calls to the hotline.
The acronym LGBTQ+ represents lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals, with the '+' symbol signifying additional identities and genders.
Grave Implications
Despite the Lifeline's overall funding remaining secure, with a budget of $500 million planned [4], the specialized LGBTQ+ services within the 988 Lifeline are at risk of being defunded as part of the FY26 budget proposal [2][4]. This potential cuts could have devastating consequences for fragile LGBTQ+ youth, exacerbating their mental health challenges.
In the absence of this critical safe space, these youth could face increased risks of suicide and mental health crises [5]. Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Tammy Baldwin, are advocating for the government to reconsider these proposed cuts, underscoring the pivotal role these services play in assisting LGBTQ+ youth [2]. Organizations such as The Trevor Project are urging the public to contribute financially and sign petitions to safeguard these services for LGBTQ+ youth [1][3].
In essence, while the broader 988 Lifeline is safe, the future of specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth hangs in the balance. If funds are withdrawn, it could lead to far-reaching, adverse effects on a particularly vulnerable group, prompting intense calls for support from advocates and celebrities alike.
- Science and mental health experts are concerned about the potential funding cuts to the specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth on the 988 suicide hotline, a move that could exacerbate mental health challenges for this group.
- In the entertainment world, celebrities like Ariana Grande, Paris Hilton, and Jamie Lee Curtis have shown support for the maintenance of the LGBTQ+ suicide hotline, urging continuous funding for the service to save lives.
- Health-and-wellness organizations, such as The Trevor Project, are advocating for the public to financially contribute and sign petitions to ensure continuous funding for the LGBTQ+ specialized services on the 988 Lifeline, as their loss could have catastrophic consequences for the mental health and safety of young LGBTQ+ individuals.
