Cutting the cord on compassion, how one federal order cut lifelines to millions of LGBTQ+ youth

I joined The Trevor Project's staff in 2018. That year, our crisis counselors supported more than 65,000 contacts, LGBTQ+ young people who needed help in their darkest moments. I underwent 40+ hours of training like our counselors to learn about the unique needs of LGBTQ+ youth, our accredited crisis support model, and how our counselors save lives.

And I was proud of our work.

In 2022, we served more than 263,000 crisis contacts as we expanded our life-saving impact. Our crisis counselors were on the front lines, reaching hundreds of thousands of young people with our messages of hope and support. Our organization was saving more lives than ever.

Again, I was proud of our work.

Fast forward to early 2025, when our counselors supported nearly half a million crisis contacts in the past year. The organization had grown its impact even more by partnering with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. We became part of 988's LGBTQ+ Youth Subnetwork, a group of highly trained contact centers that support LGBTQ+ young people as they face unique challenges and experiences.

Once more, I was exceptionally proud of our work.

Then, on June 17, 2025, the Administration ordered the termination of 988's LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services within 30 days. That means by July 17, 2025, several contact centers, including The Trevor Project, will no longer be able to provide LGBTQ+ competent crisis care to suicidal LGBTQ+ youth through 988.

It took several years to secure government funding for 988, build The Trevor Project's operations for 988, hire and train approximately 250 counselors and support staff, and enhance our 988 infrastructure. But we were given a mere 30-day notice to ramp down this massive, life-saving program that has supported more than 1.3 million LGBTQ+ young people. The Administration put our organization in an impossible situation, on an impossible timeline.

With one abrupt decision, the federal government has gutted a lifeline for more than a million LGBTQ+ young people, and the hundreds of counselors who support them.

With just one order, the Administration:

1. Disregarded decades of scientific research — including from the CDC, a government agency — proving that LGBTQ+ youth are at increased risk for suicide attempts.
2. The legislation to create 988's LGBTQ+ Youth Subnetwork was passed by Congress unanimously and was signed into law by President Trump.
3. Erased transgender and nonbinary people with purposeful diction, even though trans youth are at higher risk of seriously considering suicide than their cisgender peers.
4. Ignored their constituents, the House and Senate, suicide prevention experts and organizations, a coalition of 100+ national mental health organizations, and 100+ entertainment icons – all who expressed overwhelming support to save federal funding for LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention.
5. Reduced The Trevor Project's ability to save lives by approximately $25 million and more than halved the number of crisis contacts we can support.
6. Sent a message to LGBTQ+ people – during Pride Month – that they don't deserve life-saving care.

The Trevor Project is still here, and we will continue supporting LGBTQ+ youth 24/7 and for free. But to provide our crisis services to LGBTQ+ youth, our organization needs your help more than ever.

Even though I've worked at The Trevor Project for seven years, I will never get tired of hearing from people: "I wouldn't be here without The Trevor Project." "The Trevor Project saved my child's life; my friend's life; my life." I remain proud of our organization's work, and I hope you'll support us to ensure that we can continue to save young LGBTQ+ lives.

Kevin Wong is senior vice president of marketing, communications, and content at The Trevor Project.

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