Joe.My.God. LGBT News
Axios reports:
Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) joined a group of Democratic lawmakers to urge Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. not to make the “reckless” move of eliminating LGBTQ+ youth crisis services. “Given the Administration has claimed addressing youth mental health as a priority, elimination of specialized services specifically designed for at-risk youth is irresponsible,” read the letter, which was signed by Baldwin.
The 988 lifeline has counselors trained specifically to support LGBTQ+ young people and other high-risk groups. The proposed cut in the document, known as a budget passback, is not final. “Ending the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ youth specialized services will not just strip away access from millions of LGBTQ+ kids and teens – it will put their lives at risk,” said Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, in a statement last month.
Read the full article. The LGBTQ youth crisis line handled over 231,000 contacts last year alone.
Nothing says Mental Health Awareness Month like slashing the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for some Americans because of who they are or who they love.
Yep, we are fighting back. https://t.co/miFhLBlD3l
— Sen. Tammy Baldwin (@SenatorBaldwin) May 7, 2025