The Trump administration’s animosity toward LGBTQ people, and especially transgender people, is certainly no secret. And we have been seeing warnings for weeks — months? — now that the administration planned to cut off funding to Trevor Project, the organization focused specifically on helping LGBTQ youth in crisis and which operates a suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth.
Well, now the warnings and rumors are confirmed. And Trevor Project CEO Jaymes Black is reaching out to the community and our allies to keep the organization operational. Rather than trying to summarize Jaymes’ letter, I am reprinting it here in full:
“This week, we received official confirmation from the administration that federal funding for LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention will be eliminated as of July 17. This is truly devastating news.
What does this mean for The Trevor Project? What does it mean for LGBTQ+ young people? Let me be clear — the loss of this funding does not mean The Trevor Project will be going away. No matter what the federal government says or does, Trevor is here to stay.
Trevor was founded 27 years ago, at a time when there were no crisis resources for LGBTQ+ youth. On its first night, more than 1,500 people reached out to the contact center. Now, we have to do all we can to ensure Trevor can continue to provide 24/7 crisis services to every LGBTQ+ young person who needs us.
I want to be fully transparent with you. Last year, Trevor helped nearly 500,000 young people who contacted our crisis services. For Trevor to continue to provide crisis counseling services for this volume of calls, texts, and chats, once partially funded by the federal government, we will need your support and that of our fellow community members.
I hope Trevor can count on you to make an Emergency Lifeline Campaign gift today during Pride Month. Your help is needed now more than ever. Thanks to the generosity of our Board of Directors, your donation will be matched 3X up to $100,000!
We need everyone, including you, to do what you can because we can’t do this alone. We know from our research that when an LGBTQ+ young person feels accepted by just one adult, their odds of attempting suicide decrease by at least 40%. Trevor must have a sufficient number of crisis counselors to help those who contact us in their darkest hours.
On top of the administration cutting suicide prevention resources this week, the U.S. Supreme Court passed a ruling on Wednesday upholding government bans on essential health care for transgender youth.
LGBTQ+ young people are scared. These two decisions will have a direct impact on their mental health and will likely lead to an increase in the number of contacts we receive.
Your gift today, during Pride month, will show LGBTQ+ youth that they are not alone, they belong, and they are valued.
I am asking you to give a special Emergency Lifeline gift today. LGBTQ+ youth are counting on all of us — you, Trevor, and the entire Trevor community. Please help ensure that Trevor remains fully staffed, with highly trained crisis counselors, to help LGBTQ+ young people when they contact us.
Thank you in advance for your continued support and your generosity. Together, we can support and protect LGBTQ+ young people.
In partnership and with gratitude,
Jaymes Black
(they/she/he)
CEO, The Trevor Project
Our children are our future, and EVERY LGBTQ young person is OUR child. And at a time when our very government, which is supposed to be there to protect and to serve the people, is attacking our children, it is our duty to protect them however we can. Donating to Trevor Project is one way you can do that.
If you can donate, now is the time to do so.
— Tammye Nash