More than 100 celebrities have signed an open letter urging Congress to protect funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services. The program, which provides emergency crisis support to LGBTQ+ youth considering suicide, is at risk of losing $25 million in funding. Signatories include Ariana Grande, Pedro Pascal, Daniel Radcliffe, Gabrielle Union-Wade, Dwyane Wade, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dua Lipa, Sabrina Carpenter, Cara Delevingne, Christina Aguilera, Troye Sivan, Sarah Paulson, Nathan Lane, Alan Cumming, Kelsea Ballerini, Tove Lo, Sophia Bush, Josh Hutcherson, and Jonathan Van Ness.
The letter states, “We are heartbroken by the proposal to eliminate federal funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services — a move that will have devastating, life-threatening consequences for young people across the country.”
It emphasizes the critical need for suicide prevention resources, noting that LGBTQ+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers. The Trevor Project estimates that more than 1.8 million LGBTQ+ young people in the United States seriously consider suicide each year. The celebrities call on the administration and Congress to restore and protect funding for the program in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.
They also recognize the impact of representation in showing LGBTQ+ youth that they are seen, valued, and not alone.
Celebrities advocate for LGBTQ+ crisis support
The letter reads, “You may be hurting.
You may be scared. You may feel like no one hears you — but we do. We will keep showing up and speaking out.
We will not stop fighting for you.”
Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, expressed gratitude to the influential voices speaking out. I am deeply grateful to the influential voices in entertainment who are speaking out and reminding the public that suicide prevention is about people — not politics,” Black stated. The Trevor Project notes that the letter will remain open, and the list of names will continue to be updated.
If you or anyone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
