Save the Queer Lifeline: An Open Plea
Celebrities, including Ariana Grande, express their backing for the LGBTQ+ helpline
In a joint effort, pop sensation Ariana Grande (31), socialite-turned-reality star Paris Hilton (44), and legendary actress Jamie Lee Curtis (66), alongside numerous fellow celebrities, have penned an impassioned open letter. The target? Preserving the lifeline for LGBTQ+ individuals battling suicidal thoughts in the States.
The issue at hand revolves around potential funding cuts to the service, with reports circulating that financial support may dry up. The petition, spearheaded by the nonprofit organization "The Trevor Project", pleads for the continued funding of the emergency hotline for LGBTQ+ youth. These young people can find a lifeline by dialing 988.
The letter expresses profound concern over the proposed cuts, stating "We are appalled by the suggestion to slash federal funding for the LGBTQ+-specific services of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline." The consequences of such a move, they argue, would be disastrous. "This isn't about politics, it's about people."
Over 1.3 million youth aided
Since its inception in 2022, the service has intervened in over 1.3 million distress calls from youth struggling with suicidal thoughts. Estimates suggest that approximately 1.8 million LGBTQ+ youth grapple with such thoughts each year[1]. As per reports from US broadcaster "CBS", the Trevor Project handles around half of the calls to the crisis hotline[2].
The acronym LGBTQ+ stands for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender and Queer individuals, with the '+' sign signifying other identities and genders.
The debate over the potential withdrawal of funding for LGBTQ+ services falls within a broader context marked by funding cuts and policy challenges[1]. If implemented, this move could impose dire consequences for queer youth, such as increased risk of suicide, lack of support, enhanced stigma within the community, and broader policy implications[3][4][5].
In response, over 100 artists have banded together to urge the U.S. government to refrain from withdrawing support to prevent suicide among LGBTQ+ individuals, emphasizing the paramount importance of maintaining these indispensable services[2].
- The celebrity-signed open letter advocates for the continued funding of science-based mental health services, specifically the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, due to its critical role in support of health-and-wellness for LGBTQ+ youth in the United States.
- Entertainment icons such as Ariana Grande, Paris Hilton, and Jamie Lee Curtis have teamed up with countless other celebrities to underscore the significant impact of the Trevor Project's health-and-wellness initiatives, which provide lifelines for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing suicidal thoughts.
- The prospects of withholding funding for LGBTQ+ mental health services are a concern for entertainment figures and health advocates alike, as the consequences could potentially harm the health-and-wellness and well-being of thousands of LGBTQ+ youth, ultimately threatening their lives and overall well-being.
