Trump Administration Ends LGBTQ+ Youth Suicide Hotline, Drawing Criticism

Jim Parsons has strongly criticized President Donald Trump's administration for shutting down the LGBTQ+ specialized operation of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a service that allowed callers to connect with counselors trained to address LGBTQ+ issues. Parsons called the decision "quite literally criminal," emphasizing that it lacks any valid justification and appears designed to send a message that LGBTQ+ individuals are unwelcome. The hotline, launched in 2022, had received 1.5 million rerouted contacts to LGBTQ+ counselors before this service was removed in July 2025, sparking widespread condemnation from advocates and public officials, including Senator Tammy Baldwin, who described the move as cruel and politically motivated amid ongoing attacks on the LGBTQ+ community. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration assured that all callers would still have access to crisis counselors, though specialized LGBTQ+ support was eliminated. Parsons, who also spoke out against recent Supreme Court rulings affecting LGBTQ+ rights, used his platform to highlight the harmful impact of such governmental actions on marginalized communities and mental health resources.