L.A. Moves To Protect Lifeline For LGBTQ+ Youth As Federal Funding Vanishes
With federal support for LGBTQ+ crisis lines set to disappear, L.A. County steps in to keep vital mental health services in place.
The phones haven’t stopped ringing. And for many LGBTQ+ young people in crisis, that call has meant the difference between despair and survival.
But now, the specialized lifeline that connects queer and trans youth with counselors who understand them, the simple “Press 3” option on the national 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, is days away from being dismantled by a federal decision. In response, Los Angeles County is stepping up.
On Tuesday, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to explore every option to preserve LGBTQ+-specific crisis hotline services as the Trump administration follows through on slashing funding for them. Supervisors Janice Hahn and Lindsey P. Horvath co-authored the motion, calling the move urgent and necessary.
Related: Trump Orders Closure Of Suicide Hotline Service For LGBTQ+ Youth
“The LGBTQ+ community, and LGBTQ+ young people especially, are less safe and more vulnerable thanks to the cruelty of the Trump administration,” Hahn said in a statement. “The federal government may be turning its back on LGBTQ+ people, but here in LA County, we’ll do everything within our power to keep this community safe.”
Until now, the “Press 3” feature of 9-8-8 routed callers to The Trevor Project, a nonprofit specializing in suicide prevention and crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ youth. That support line has fielded more than 1.3 million calls since the 9-8-8 launch in 2022.
“Every young person should know they are valued and never alone,” said Horvath. “In moments of crisis, having someone who understands their experience can make all the difference. We’re exploring every path forward to make sure that support doesn’t disappear — because showing up for our LGBTQ+ youth is more important than ever.”
The Board’s motion tasks county agencies with identifying how to keep this link intact. The Department of Mental Health and the Legislative Affairs team must return in the coming weeks with detailed reports: one on the local impact of the federal cuts, and another on how the county might continue routing LGBTQ+ callers to appropriate support, potentially by coordinating with The Trevor Project directly or using alternative transfer services.
One possibility under discussion involves collaboration between the Trevor Project and the two other agencies already contracted to provide 9-8-8 services in the county: Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services and Vibrant Emotional Health. These groups currently handle calls for the general public. Officials want to know if those lines can still offer LGBTQ+ callers the option to speak with someone specially trained to address their needs.
Related: The 988 Funding Cut Is More Than An Attack On One Suicide Crisis Line
“We are hard at work to determine how we can fill the gap and not create more gaps for this vulnerable population,” Dr. Lisa Wong, director of L.A. County’s Department of Mental Health, told the Los Angeles Daily News.
“Suicide prevention should be a nonpartisan issue,” Horvath said. “Eliminating services that help keep youth alive is reckless.”
It’s important to note that even if the “Press 3” option goes dark, the Trevor Project continues to offer 24/7 services via its own hotline at 1-866-488-7386 or by texting START to 678678.
