Trump ends specialized LGBTQ+ youth suicide hotline; California Governor Newsom vows state will fill the gap
The Trump administration has ordered an end to federal funding for the nation's only specialized suicide prevention hotline for
LGBTQ youth
, sparking outrage from advocates and setting up a new flashpoint with
California
Governor Gavin Newsom. The move, which will take effect July 17 and eliminates the 'Press 3' option on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, prompted
Newsom
to swiftly promise that California will step in to protect and expand mental health support for
LGBTQ
youth. The move, according to Newsom, will ensure the state remains a safe haven for vulnerable young people.
Federal officials argue that the general 988 Lifeline, which will continue to receive $520 million in funding, is sufficient for all callers. A spokesperson for the White House Office of Management and Budget said, 'The president's Budget funds the 988 at $520 million - the same number as under Biden. It does not, however, grant taxpayer money to a chat service where children are encouraged to embrace radical gender ideology by 'counselors' without consent or knowledge of their parents.'
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Villa For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You
Villas in Dubai | Search ads
Learn More
Undo
Since taking office in January 2025, President Trump has signed multiple executive orders aimed at limiting
transgender rights
and rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in both government and the private sector.
Live Events
Advocates and mental health professionals have condemned the decision as dangerous and politically motivated. The
Trevor Project
, which has handled more than 1.3 million contacts from LGBTQ youth since the service launched in 2022, received a stop-work order this week. CEO Jaymes Black called the move 'devastating,' adding, 'Suicide prevention is about people, not politics. The administration's decision to remove a bipartisan, evidence-based service that has effectively supported a high-risk group of young people through their darkest moments is incomprehensible.'
Governor Newsom responded swiftly, denouncing the federal rollback as 'outrageous and inexcusable.' He announced that California will invest further in mental health services for LGBTQ youth, highlighting the state's $4.7 billion Master Plan for Kids' Mental Health and direct partnerships with organizations like The Trevor Project.
'While this federal administration slashes services and tries to erase LGBTQ people, California will do the opposite. Every child — straight, gay, transgender — belongs,' Newsom declared. The state operates 12 crisis centers for the 988 Lifeline and maintains additional digital support resources, ensuring that LGBTQ youth in California will continue to have access to specialized crisis counseling.
This latest policy clash follows a series of confrontations between Newsom and Trump, including over federal immigration enforcement and ICE raids. As the July 17 cutoff approaches, the fate of specialized suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth hangs in the balance nationwide. In California, at least, state leaders are making clear they will not follow Washington's lead, and are prepared to invest heavily to ensure that vulnerable young people do not lose access to the support they need.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
Big push! Centre clears Rs 2,787 crore push for Chandrababu Naidu's Amaravati; direct funding for secretariat and residential complex
This is an AI-generated image, used for representational purposes only. The Centre has decided to directly fund two key infrastructure projects in Amaravati—marking the first such intervention in Andhra Pradesh's capital city after years of supporting it through loans. According to ET, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) will construct a Rs 1,458 crore common central secretariat and a Rs 1,329 crore residential complex in the government complex zone of Velagapudi along the Krishna river. 'So far the funds have been in the form of loans. The two projects will be the first direct intervention,' a senior state government official cited by ET. These projects are considered a significant show of support for Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's vision for Amaravati, particularly as the NDA government leans on Naidu's Telugu Desam Party as a key ally. The department of expenditure has given in-principle approval for both projects, proposed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Since each project exceeds Rs 500 crore, final clearance must come from the Public Investment Board (PIB), which will appraise the proposals in its upcoming meeting chaired by the Secretary (Expenditure). Previously, the Centre had facilitated close to Rs 26,000 crore in loans for Amaravati's development, including Rs 15,000 crore from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB), Rs 11,000 crore from HUDCO, and a likely Rs 5,000 crore loan from German bank KfW. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2 & 3 BHK Homes Near Padur, OMR Starting @ ₹72.50 Lakh* TVS Emerald Undo Amaravati's revival comes after years of stalled construction. First conceptualised post the 2014 bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the 'people's capital' project was halted in 2019 by the YSRCP government. But with Naidu returning to power, the city's relaunch began with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the renewed capital development on May 2. Naidu's vision includes an architectural landmark in the form of a 250-metre inverted lily-shaped assembly tower that will offer panoramic views of Amaravati and neighbouring Vijayawada. The tower, equipped with a visitor's gallery, will remain accessible to the public outside legislative sessions. Amaravati, planned over 217.23 sq. km, will feature nine sub-cities, each with a distinct theme, including a dedicated government district. This zone will host the legislative assembly, high court, the new central secretariat, and four "head of department" towers, each 42 stories tall. The secretariat building itself is planned as a 50-story structure. Urban Development Minister P Narayana said, 'Every city is identified with a building. The assembly tower will be an iconic building and with which Amaravati will be identified.' To avoid the fate of underpopulated capitals like Naya Raipur and Gandhinagar, Amaravati's planners aim to attract non-polluting industries to generate economic activity and settlement. With the Centre now committing direct funding, Naidu's ambitious Amaravati project appears to be gaining critical momentum after years of uncertainty. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
17 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump vs Tulsi Gabbard: Is US President planning to fire US spy chief over provocative anti-war video?
United States Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard posted a cryptic, three-minute video warning that 'political elite and warmongers' are 'carelessly fomenting fear and tensions between nuclear powers' — and that the world is 'on the brink of nuclear annihilation.' The video showed Tulsi Gabbard visiting Hiroshima, Japan, and warning viewers that modern nuclear warheads would cause even more death and destruction than the bombs that ended World War II. It came just two days after Trump met with people at the White House lobbying for the president to support Israel's attacks to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons capabilities. President Donald Trump was reportedly livid after his intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard posted an AI-generated video online of a nuclear attack on the United States, according to a report in Politico. Trump has become increasingly frustrated with Gabbard over the last few weeks and has also apparently been considering nixing the DNI position since the start of his second term. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo ALSO READ: Kristi Noem's hospitalisation linked to her visit with RFK Jr to a controversial biohazard lab for Ebola, SARS-CoV-2? Trump pissed off with Tulsi Gabbard? Two people within the administration told the Politico that Gabbard's video angered Trump as the video was not authorized and was not on the same message as that of the administration. A person close with the president said that he viewed the video as Gabbard warning him not to greenlight Israel attacking Iran. Live Events And three people familiar with the situation claimed to Politico that Trump personally told Gabbard of his disapproval. "I don't think he dislikes Tulsi as a person,' one senior administration official told Politico. 'But certainly the video made him not super hot on her … and he doesn't like it when people are off message." The official added that Trump also doesn't appreciate it when people appear to be correcting him and that 'many took that video as trying to correct the administration's position.' Trump does not like when people appear to correct him as Gabbard seemed to have corrected the administration's position on the Israel-Iran war. ALSO READ: 'If Iran gets nuclear weapon...': Ted Cruz's terrifying 'mushroom cloud' prediction for US cities amid mid-east conflict Tulsi Gabbard left no doubt when she testified to Congress about Iran's nuclear program earlier this year in March. She testified to Congress about Iran's nuclear program in March, mentioned that Iran was not building a nuclear weapon. 'The intelligence community continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and Supreme Leader Khamenei has not authorized the nuclear weapons program he suspended in 2003,' she had stated. Trump was asked about Gabbard's declaration before Congress in March that Iran was not seeking to build a nuclear weapon. 'I don't care what she said,' Trump told reporters. In his view, Iran was 'very close' to having a nuclear bomb. Gabbard released her dire warning about imminent nuclear war in a video showing devastating images and video. The footage begins with the intelligence chief noting how she recently visited Hiroshima, site of the WWII nuclear blast in Japan. "It's hard to find the words to express what I saw," she says in the video. "This attack obliterated the city, killed over 300,000 people, many dying instantly, while others died from severe burns, injuries, radiation, sickness and cancer that set in the following months and years. Nagasaki suffered the same fate, homes, schools, families, all gone in a flash." ALSO READ: A list of 'safest' countries to seek shelter as World War III fear looms As she spoke, the video cut to footage of blast victims in 1945 and the flattened skylines of the bombed-out city remains. "Yet this one bomb that caused so much destruction in Hiroshima was tiny compared to today's nuclear bombs," she continued as renderings showed the colossal scale of modern day weapons. Gabbard then delivers a menacing verdict: "We are closer to the brink of nuclear annihilation than ever before." According to a POLITICO report, Trump has increasingly considered eliminating Gabbard's position, believing she contributes little to discussions, insiders said. However, an ally of Gabbard stated she fully supports Trump's approach to Iran and emphasized that she has never allowed her personal beliefs to influence the advice she gives him, nor has she attempted to push her own agenda. What White House said? Alexa Henning, Gabbard's deputy chief of staff, vehemently refuted the claims. She wrote on X: "This is total clickbait. Tulsi is a veteran, a patriot, a loyal supporter of Pres Trump & a critical part of the coalition he built in 2024. "She's an essential member of our nat sec team, & we're grateful for her tireless work to keep America safe from foreign threats." ALSO READ: Amazon's 30-day deadline to employees amid mass layoff fear: Resign in 60 days or... Vice President J.D. Vance also came to Gabbard's defense amid the reports of a tiff with the president, also noting her previously military service and loyalty to Trump. "Tulsi Gabbard is a veteran, a patriot, a loyal supporter of President Trump, and a critical part of the coalition he built in 2024,' Vance wrote. "She's an essential member of our national security team, and we're grateful for her tireless work to keep America safe from foreign threats."
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
18 minutes ago
- First Post
'Hope the food was good': Tharoor takes a jibe at Asim Munir's luncheon with Trump
Trump and Munir reportedly discussed a wide range of topics, including India and Pakistan, wherein the Pakistani general expressed his gratitude to the president for preventing a potential nuclear war following the Pahalgam terror attack read more (File) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir (C) prays after laying wreath on the martyrs' monument during a guard of honor ceremony at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on May 21, 2025. Photo by Handout/ Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). AFP Congress MP and leader Shashi Tharoor has taken a dig at Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir's lunch meeting with US President Donald Trump. Commenting on the White House reporting that Munir nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, Tharoor said, 'According to the White House, this general had said that the president should get the Nobel peace prize, and then he was rewarded with a lunch. I hope the food was good and he has also got some food for thought in the process.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump and Munir reportedly discussed a wide range of topics, including India and Pakistan, wherein the Pakistani general expressed his gratitude to the president for preventing a potential nuclear war following the Pahalgam terror attack. On Trump's mediation claims, Tharoor said, 'We welcome any pressure the US may have on Pakistan. But we did not ask for it. We did not request anyone's mediation.' Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a phone call with Trump on Wednesday, where he rejected his claims of US mediation. 'Working on trade deals with India, Pak' After their luncheon meeting, Trump said, 'The reason I had him here was I wanted to thank him for not going into the war and ending the war. Prime Minister Modi just left a little while ago, and we are working on a trade deal with India.' The president further said that his administration is also working on reaching a trade deal with Pakistan, adding that he is 'very happy' that 'two very smart people decided not to keep going with the war.' The White House has confirmed that the meeting was arranged in response to Munir's public remarks praising Trump's role in de-escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed countries. 'They know Iran better than most' The duo also discussed the ongoing situation in West Asia triggered by Israel's strikes against Iran and the following retaliatory attacks. 'They know Iran very well, better than most, and they're not happy about anything. They see what's going on. And he agreed with me,' Trump said.
