Critics, including Parsons, argue that this decision removes a critical support system for a population at disproportionately high risk for depression, self-harm, and suicide. Advocates express concern that the elimination of specialized LGBTQ expertise within the 988 lifeline will create additional barriers for at-risk youth in crisis.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline discontinued the option for LGBTQ youth to directly connect with a specialized counselor via a dedicated button last Friday. This option had been available since 2022. According to SAMHSA data, the 988 hotline has received over 16 million calls, texts, and chats during its three years of operation. Approximately 1.5 million of these contacts were initiated by LGBTQ youth. In its announcement, SAMHSA stated that its decision was made “to focus on serving all help seekers” rather than maintaining separate LGBTQ-specific services. Parsons, known for his role in *The Big Bang Theory*, spoke out against the change during a recent appearance on MSNBC’s The Weekend.
While promoting the new documentary, *Reclaiming the Flag*, Parsons stated he was appalled by the Trump administration’s action. “I think it’s quite literally criminal,” Parsons told MSNBC. “It’s one of the kinds of decisions that you’re like, there’s no good reason for it. It doesn’t matter what reason you ever put towards it or say it’s the reason it’s happening, it’s never going to be justified.” Parsons added, “It is only hurtful and it feels like it’s only being done in order to make a point, we’re getting rid of this because we want to make sure certain people understand they’re not welcome here.”
Wisconsin Democrat Tammy Baldwin, the author of the bipartisan legislation that provided funding for the 988 hotline, has characterized the termination of LGBTQ-specific services as a politically motivated decision. “They have had relentless attacks on members of the LGBTQ community, particularly transgender individuals, transgender youth,” Baldwin told NPR. “In the face of those relentless political attacks on this very vulnerable community, to then cut off a lifeline is absolutely cruel.”
Reclaiming the Flag, a documentary directed by Alexis Bittar and available on YouTube, examines the LGBTQ community’s relationship with the American flag. Bittar, speaking to MSNBC, emphasized the importance of specialized support for LGBTQ youth, saying “I just think it’s such an important tool for LGBTQ youth to be able to reach out and talk to someone on the other line.” Bittar added, “The messaging is, unless you live in a metropolitan area, is you’re not worthy in the eyes of God. You grow up feeling you don’t belong.”
