What’s Really Happening with the LGBTQ+ Suicide Hotline Changes
There’s been a lot of confusion—and fear—circulating online about crisis support for LGBTQ+. Some viral posts are even pointing people to Trans Lifeline’s Canadian number, falsely claiming it’s the new U.S. suicide hotline. Let’s clear things up. The national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is not shutting down. But the Trump administration is removing the LGBTQ+ specific “Press 3” option—a life-saving service that connected directly with trained counselors who understand their experiences. This change, effective July 17, 2025, is not just bureaucratic—it’s personal. It sends a dangerous message to LGBTQ+ people across the country: You are not a priority. the “Press 1″ option for veterans on the 988 Lifeline remains fully in place. That specialized pathway, routed to the Veterans Crisis Line, is not affected by the changes happening to “Press 3.” You can still dial 988, “Press 1,” and be connected with trained counselors who understand veterans’ experiences.
What’s Actually Changing
The Trump administration is discontinuing the LGBTQ+ youth sub-network of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, effective July 17, 2025, citing that LGBTQ‑specific counseling allegedly promotes “radical gender ideology.” Callers can still dial 988 and receive culturally competent general crisis support, but the option to “press 3” for LGBTQ‑trained professionals will be removed.
According to the Trevor Project, The LGBTQ+ youth “Press 3” service has connected with roughly 1.3 million young people since its launch in 2022.
Mental health advocates warn this rollback significantly reduces tailored, life-saving support for a high-risk group.
Clarification: Misinformation About Canadian Hotline Number
- 877-330-6366 is Trans Lifeline’s Canadian hotline number. It is a peer support line run by and for trans people. It is not a general crisis line and is not equipped to support the broader public.
- While the Trump administration has proposed cutting federal funding for LGBTQ+ youth crisis services, no national suicide hotline has been shut down. What did happen is LGBTQ+ young people will no longer be funneled directly to specialists, after pressing “3,” for specific LGBTQ+ community, unlike before. A crucial layer of support for vulnerable teens and young people has been lost.
- Canada has not “donated” a national suicide hotline number to the U.S. or to LGBTQIA+ communities.
According to the Trans Lifeline’s Canadian hotline number, this misinformation has unfortunately led to a sharp increase in calls from people outside of Canada, which limits their capacity to support the trans people our line was built to serve.
You can find our public posts addressing the misinformation here:
