Federal funding has been pulled for the LGBTQI+ youth 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline following the Trump Administration’s dropping of the Biden-Harris “Unity Agenda”. As of July 17, 2025, these clients were funneled into the general crisis line, despite option #3’s usage and community impact.

Confidential crisis services will still be available through the line, however this vital subnetwork specializing in counselors specifically designated and trained in LGBTQI+ issues has been completely defunded. Option #3 served an average of 830 calls, 270 texts, and 224 web chats each month in the state of Washington. 

“We know when governments don’t support LBGTQ young people, or specifically target them, that has bad mental health outcomes [for those youths],” explained Erin Fenner, a  Communications Specialist III at King County DCHS. 

This Trump era change may have been announced on June 17 of this year, but inklings towards the administration’s stance can be found within the Department of Health and Human Services Fiscal 2026 budget released 11 days prior. Within it, the term LGBTQ, or the words “gay”, “lesbian”, or “bisexual” can only be found once. This sole reference is in regards to the removal of option #3 funds from 2024 budget to the 2025 budget. 

This is a stark contrast from the Biden-Harris budget, where this term, and citations to studies focusing on the differences in queer care, can be found on 22 separate occasions throughout. 

Wording used on the June 17 announcement, emphasized the need for the care for ‘all’ crisis line callers. Despite this cut for LGBTQI+ youth, other subnetworks will continue to receive focused care including American Sign Language callers, Veterans, and Native American clients in Washington. 

The 2023 King County Healthy Youth Survey, reminds us of the impact these services have in our community. Their findings report around 28% of LGB+ youth in King County experience suicidal ideation. Around 23% of LGB+ youth have made a suicide plan. Finally and most deviating of all, approximately 13% of LGB+ youth have made a suicide attempt.

These young ones deserve life saving services. The needs of these adolescents do not disappear with the lack of option #3.  

Crisis Connections, a nonprofit organization, houses and maintains the line for King County residents. While higher ups for the organization recognize the tremendous loss of these services, they still encourage any help seeker to contact them.

For all  LGBTQI+ youth dealing with suicidal ideations, or in crisis, there is still a vast network of help. The Trevor Project is a national hotline for LGBTQ+ youth that has been active since 1998, they can be reached at 1-866-488-7386. Connections Kirkland is an option for in-person care, or Crisis Teams from the YMCA. For children seeking support Children’s Crisis Outreach Services (CCORS) may also be reached at 206-461-3222.

“Regardless of what the Federal Government does, here in King County we invest in, and support our LGBTQ youth,” Fenner said. The erasure of these services does not go unnoticed, and neither does its affected youth.