More than 100 of the world’s most prominent celebrities — including Pedro Pascal, Ariana Grande, Dua Lipa, and Sabrina Carpenter — have signed an open letter urging the administration to preserve $50 million in federal funding for LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention.

The letter, released in collaboration with The Trevor Project, comes in response to an April report detailing a leaked draft of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) budget. The draft reportedly proposed eliminating all funding for suicide prevention services targeting LGBTQ+ youth within the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

The 988 Lifeline, launched in 2022, is a critical, federally supported program providing 24/7 mental health and suicide prevention support, including specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth in crisis.

“We Will Not Stay Silent”

“As artists, creators, and public figures, our platforms come with responsibility,” the open letter begins. “And today, that responsibility is clear: we must speak out to protect the mental health and lives of LGBTQ+ youth. We will not stay silent.”

The letter goes on to state that since the program’s inception, nearly 1.3 million LGBTQ+ youth have been connected with life-saving, affirming care during moments of extreme vulnerability.

“Suicide among LGBTQ+ youth is a public health crisis, and it should be treated as such,” the letter declares.

The signatories include a wide and diverse group of entertainers and public figures who have long been vocal about LGBTQ+ rights and mental health. Among them are Jamie Lee Curtis, Sarah Paulson, Troye Sivan, Daniel Radcliffe, Orville Peck, Alan Cumming, Bob the Drag Queen, Margaret Cho, Kelsea Ballerini, Paul Feig, Dylan Mulvaney, David Archuleta, Colton Underwood, Frankie Grande, Sutton Stracke, Benito Skinner, Nathan Lane, and Hunter Doohan of Netflix’s Wednesday.

“This Is About People, Not Politics”

The letter calls out the politicization of mental health services, emphasizing that suicide prevention transcends partisanship and ideology.

“This is about people, not politics,” the celebrities write. “At a time of deep division, let this be something we as people can all agree on: no young person should be left without help in their darkest moment.”

They argue that removing the LGBTQ+ specialized care feature from 988 is not just a budget cut — it sends a dangerous message: “Stripping away this lifeline leaves LGBTQ+ youth with the message that their lives are not worth saving. We refuse to accept that message.”

Trevor Project CEO Speaks Out

Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, the nation’s leading organization for LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention, praised the celebrities for using their voices to support queer youth.

“I am deeply grateful to the influential voices in entertainment who are speaking out and reminding the public that suicide prevention is about people — not politics,” Black said in a statement. “It is clinical best practice for highly trained counselors to provide competent care to high-risk communities, including LGBTQ+ youth and veterans.”

Black also pointed out the unique challenges LGBTQ+ youth face: “These young people disproportionately experience rejection, stigma, and discrimination, and are navigating a world that too often tells them they don’t belong.”

According to The Trevor Project’s 2024 National Survey, 41% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year — with even higher rates among trans and nonbinary youth.

What’s at Stake

The $50 million at risk specifically funds LGBTQ+-affirming care within the 988 Lifeline. It supports training, hiring, and retaining counselors equipped to offer culturally competent, trauma-informed support to queer youth in crisis.

LGBTQ+ advocacy groups warn that removing this funding would not only reduce access to essential support but also undo years of progress in recognizing and addressing the mental health needs of queer communities.

Ariana Grande, one of the most vocal allies, has previously used her platforms to raise millions for LGBTQ+ organizations and mental health services. Pedro Pascal, whose sister is transgender, has been outspoken in defending trans youth rights and has become a symbol of solidarity in Hollywood.

The open letter urges the public to treat this issue with the seriousness it deserves. “LGBTQ+ youth need support, not silence. They need to know they are seen, they are loved, and they are never alone,” the letter reads.

How You Can Help

The full letter can be read at TheTrevorProject.org. Advocates are encouraging the public to contact lawmakers and voice their support for continued and expanded funding for LGBTQ+ mental health resources.

Individuals can also donate directly to The Trevor Project and similar organizations or share the letter online to amplify awareness.

As Pride Month begins, the call to protect LGBTQ+ youth resonates louder than ever.