Youth's Lives Every Day
We are heartbroken by the proposal to eliminate federal funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services — a move that will have devastating, life-threatening consequences for young people across the country. As artists, creators, and public figures, our platforms come with responsibility. And today, that responsibility is clear: we must speak out to protect the mental health and lives of LGBTQ+ youth. We will not stay silent.
Since its launch in 2022, this program has connected nearly 1.3 million crisis contacts with life-saving, affirming care to LGBTQ+ young people during their most vulnerable moments. Suicide among LGBTQ+ youth is a public health crisis, and it should be treated as such. LGBTQ+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers. The Trevor Project estimates that more than 1.8 million LGBTQ+ young people in the United States seriously consider suicide each year — and at least one attempts suicide every 45 seconds.
This is about people, not politics. At a time of deep division, let this be something we as people can all agree on: no young person should be left without help in their darkest moment. Stripping away this lifeline leaves LGBTQ+ youth with the message that their lives are not worth saving. We refuse to accept that message. We call on the administration and Congress to do the right thing: restore and protect funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.
We also recognize the consequential impact we can have on showing LGBTQ+ young people possibility models. Telling stories about the diverse tapestry of humanity is what makes art powerful, and representation can be life-saving. At this moment, LGBTQ+ youth are hearing messages that question and criticize their identities and their existence. We must show them that there are still so many people fighting for their rights.
To every LGBTQ+ young person reading this: you are not alone. We see you. We value you. You have the right to feel safe, supported, and loved exactly as you are. You deserve access to life-saving services that honor your humanity. You may be hurting. You may be scared. You may feel like no one hears you — but we do. We will keep showing up and speaking out. We will not stop fighting for you.
We rise together — loudly and determined — for hope, for dignity, and for every LGBTQ+ young person to know that their lives are worthy and that there will always be someone on the other end of the line. You can join us by signing The Trevor Project’s petition at TRVR.org/Save988.
In Solidarity,
[This letter will remain open, and names will continue to be updated on a rolling basis]
Africa Peñalver |
Alan Cumming |
Alison Roman |
ALOK |
Aly & AJ |
Amber Mark |
Amber Valletta |
Amrit Kapai |
Ariana DeBose |
Ariana Grande |
Atsuko Okatsuka |
Ava Max |
Bea Miller |
Bella Ramsey |
Benito Skinner |
Blondshell |
Bob the Drag Queen |
Bobby Berk |
Braunwyn Windham Spinner |
Brian Atwood |
Cara Delevingne |
Carl Nassib |
Chef Amanda Freitag |
Chris Appleton |
Christina Aguilera |
Colton Underwood |
Conor Oberst |
Daniel K. Isaac |
DANIEL MARTIN |
Daniel Radcliffe |
Darren Criss |
Dasha |
David Archuleta |
Diplo |
Doechii |
Dua Lipa |
Dwyane Wade |
Dylan Adler |
Dylan Mulvaney |
Dyllón Burnside |
Emily Simpson |
EREZ |
Estelle |
Ethel Cain |
Eugene Lee Yang |
FLETCHER |
Frankie Grande |
Gabrielle Union-Wade |
GAYLE |
Gia woods |
Gracie Abrams |
Gus Kenworthy |
Haute & Freddy |
Heather Dubrow |
Henry Russell |
Hunter Doohan |
Hunx and His Punx |
Jake Shane |
Jamie Lee Curtis |
Jay Jurden |
Jazzelle |
Jon Kung |
Jonathan Van Ness |
Jordan Doww |
Josh Hutcherson |
Josie Totah |
Julia Michaels |
Kelsea Ballerini |
Kevin Maxen |
King Princess |
Larry Owens |
Lauren Theobald |
Lisa Rinna |
Lucy Rosiek |
Margaret Cho |
Margaret Josephs |
MARINA |
Matt Bernstein |
Maybe Burke |
Mayowa |
Melissa King |
Melique Berger |
Michael Cudlitz |
Michols Peña |
Miss Benny |
MØ |
Natasha Leggero |
Nathan Lane |
Nina West |
Noah Cyrus |
Oliver Sim |
Orville Peck |
Paris Hilton |
Paul Feig |
Paulie Calafiore |
Pedro Pascal |
Quintessa Swindell |
Rickey Thompson |
Robbie Couch |
Ronnie Woo |
Sabrina Carpenter |
sarah paulson |
SG Lewis |
Shannon and The Clams |
Sophia Bush |
Sutton Stracke |
Symone |
Terry Dubrow |
Tove Lo |
Troye Sivan |
TX2 |
Tyler Oakley |
VINCINT |
Vinny Thomas |
Yumi Nu |
YUNGBLUD |
ZAYN |