The administration of Donald Trump announced that, within 30 days, The National Direct Line for Crisis Assistance for Youth LGBTQ+ will closea key tool for suicide prevention in that group.
He US Department of Health and Servicesthrough the Mental health services administration and substance abuse (Samhsa)confirmed that the 988 service -a general line of mental health assistance – will stop offering the specific option for young LGBTQ+known as “Press 3”, From July 17.
The measure, communicated this week, Eliminate direct access to specialized counselors in attention to people under 25 who make up the LGBTQ+community. The option had been implemented in 2022 as a pilot program in association with The Trevor Projecta leading organization in suicide prevention in that population.
In its statement, the government indicated that will not continue to segment services for young LGB+deliberately omitting the “t” that represents the trans community, with the argument that They seek to “serve everyone equally”.
Donald Trump maintains his hostility towards the LGBTQ+ community
He Cutting adds to a series of political decisions that directly affect the LGBTQ+ communityand generated a wave of criticism by organizations and activists. The executive director of The Trevor Project, Jaymes Blackhe described the decision as “devastating”And he recalled that the program attended more than 1.3 million young people since its implementation. “Suicide prevention should not be a political issue. It is a matter of human lives”He said.
“Eliminate a proven, bipartisan and evidence -based service in the month of pride, and also omitting the trans community in the official announcement, it is a cruel act”, Said Black. In that sense, he asked the Congress that reverses the decision and reiterated that The Trevor Project will continue to provide 24 -hour attention For those who need it.
The Government replied that people who contact line 988 will continue to have access to trained personnel. But the Budget proposed for 2026 directly eliminates funds for specialized services for young peopleconfirming the political decision to dismantle the system.
Consulted by NBC News about that cut, Rachel Cauleyspokeswoman for the White House Budget Office, justified the measure with an ideological argument: he assured that the Government will not finance “Chat services where ‘advisors’ encourage children to adopt a radical gender ideology without the knowledge of their parents”
That phrase -“Radical Gender Ideology”- It is frequently used by conservative sectors, and is part of the Trump campaign speech for re-election. The term has been strongly rejected by human rights organizations, which consider it a form of stigmatization of trans people.
Source: Ambito
