The Trump administration has taken aim at certain groups of people with many of its cruel policies, but one of the hardest hit — from the campaign trail up until now — are trans folks.
The latest attack comes in the form of the cutting of a lifesaving service: the defunding of the LGBTQ+ youth suicide hotline, a free nationwide hotline that can be reached by calling 988 and selecting option 3.
In just a few weeks, on July 17, option 3 will no longer exist — although the 988 lifeline itself will still be available to the general public (and LGBTQ+ youth can call the general number, but the level of care won’t be the same).
There are specific programs within 988 that offer specialized services to groups with the highest risk of suicidality, said Mark Henson, the vice president of advocacy and government affairs at The Trevor Project, which is how the LGBTQ+ youth option came to be.
“So, if one engages 988 and presses one, you’re routed to the veterans crisis line, because our nation’s veterans have significantly higher rates of suicidality than the civilian population because of what they’ve experienced,” Henson said.
