Celebrities Sign The Trevor Project’s Open Letter to Protect Federal Funding for LGBTQ+ Youth Suicide Prevention

Entertainment industry – across film, music, TV, sports, theatre, comedy, fashion, culinary arts, and book publishing – come together to support LGBTQ+ young people

June 2, 2025 – The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people, published an open letter today to protect an estimated $50 million in federal funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services. The letter was signed by more than 100 celebrities across the entertainment industry, spanning film, music, TV, sports, theatre, comedy, fashion, culinary arts, and book publishing.

A draft of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ budget leaked in April that revealed plans to eliminate all funding for LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention services through 988, a federal program that provides emergency crisis support to LGBTQ+ youth considering suicide. 

“I am deeply grateful to the influential voices in entertainment who are speaking out and reminding the public that suicide prevention is about people – not politics,” said Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project. “It is clinical best practice for highly trained counselors to provide competent care to high-risk communities, including LGBTQ+ youth and veterans. LGBTQ+ young people disproportionately experience rejection, stigma, and discrimination, and are navigating a world that too often tells them they don’t belong. We must send a louder message back: millions of people are fighting for you to lead the happy, healthy lives you deserve. The Trevor Project will continue working with anyone committed to LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention and to protecting the federal funding that helps save young LGBTQ+ lives every day.”

An estimated 1.3 million crisis contacts and counting have been connected to 988’s life-saving, LGBTQ+-inclusive crisis services. The Trevor Project is a main provider of 988’s LGBTQ+ youth specialized services, and serves nearly 50% of its contact volume. In 2024 alone, The Trevor Project directly served more than 231,000 crisis contacts, and trained and supported nearly 250 crisis counselors and operational support staff through the 988 Lifeline. The nonprofit organization is at risk of losing an estimated $25 million in federal funds that power its ability to connect LGBTQ+ youth in crisis with life-saving services. 

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. The organization, alongside its supporters in the United States House, Senate, and peer organizations are advocating for the continued funding for these life-saving programs. 

LGBTQ+ young people can still contact 988 for specialized crisis services. They may also contact The Trevor Project, 24/7 and for free. Individuals can take action by signing The Trevor Project’s petition to demand lawmakers protect LGBTQ+ youth.

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