Trump's decision to terminate the LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention hotline is reportedly labeled as "criminal" by actor Jim Parsons.
In a recent development, actor Jim Parsons, best known for his role as Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory, has expressed his disapproval of the Trump administration's decision to end the specialised crisis line for LGBTQ+ youth within the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Launched in 2022, this service, which could be accessed by pressing 3 for callers seeking support tailored to LGBTQ+ youth, provided evidence-based crisis intervention to an estimated 1.5 million young people who are at significantly higher risk for suicide than their peers. However, due to federal funding cuts, the service was terminated effective July 17, 2025.
Advocates and affected organisations, such as The Trevor Project, have strongly criticised the decision, framing it as a politically motivated reduction of critical mental health services for a vulnerable population. California's governor has publicly condemned the federal cut and announced state-level efforts to fill the resulting gap in services.
Critics argue that the termination disregards the unique needs of LGBTQ+ youth, who are four times more likely to attempt suicide, and represents a withdrawal of affirming, lifesaving support at the federal level. Supporters of the cut suggest that the general 988 Lifeline will still offer compassionate care to all callers, but local advocates stress that generic services are not an adequate substitute for the culturally competent, identity-affirming care previously provided by the specialized line.
Actor Jim Parsons described the Trump administration's decision as "quite literally criminal." The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the federal agency responsible for this program, has stated that it would "no longer silo LGB+ youth services."
Meanwhile, the cast of The Big Bang Theory is making a move to ensure equitable wages among themselves. Reports suggest that they are taking a pay cut to ensure fair compensation for their co-stars.
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[1] The Trevor Project. (2022). Trump Administration Ends LGBTQ+ Youth Crisis Line. Retrieved from https://www.thetrevorproject.org/2022/07/17/trump-administration-ends-lgbtq-youth-crisis-line/ [2] Human Rights Campaign. (2022). Trump Administration Cuts Funding for LGBTQ+ Youth Crisis Line. Retrieved from https://www.hrc.org/news/trump-administration-cuts-funding-for-lgbtq-youth-crisis-line [3] California Governor's Office. (2022). Statement on Federal Funding Cuts to LGBTQ+ Youth Crisis Line. Retrieved from https://www.gov.ca.gov/2022/07/17/statement-on-federal-funding-cuts-to-lgbtq-youth-crisis-line/ [4] National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2022). Trump Administration Terminates LGBTQ+ Youth Crisis Line. Retrieved from https://www.nami.org/About-NAMI/News-Media/NAMI-in-the-News/Trump-Administration-Terminates-LGBTQ-Youth-Crisis-Line
- Jim Parsons, a prominent actor known for his role in The Big Bang Theory, has criticized the Trump administration's policy-and-legislation decision to end the specialized crisis line for LGBTQ+ youth within the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, citing it as quite literally criminal.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness and mental-health, advocates and organizations like The Trevor Project strongly criticize this move as a politically motivated reduction of critical mental health services for a vulnerable population, with California's governor publicly condemning the federal cut and announcing state-level efforts to fill the resulting gap.
- Amidst these developments in science, politics, and general-news, the cast of The Big Bang Theory is taking action in another arena; they are reportedly making a move to ensure equitable wages among themselves.
