New York Rep. Mike Lawler is among the first lawmakers in the Republican Party to break with the Trump administration over its decision to shut down a national youth LGBTQ+ suicide hotline.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, run by the Department of Health and Human Services, issued a statement Tuesday that on July 17 the national suicide prevention hotline will stop offering specialized services for LGBTQ+ callers.
“This is wrong,” Lawler wrote on X in response to a Rolling Stone article about the cuts. “According to studies, LGBTQ+ young people have an elevated risk of suicide and are more likely than their peers to attempt it. We should ensure they have the resources necessary to get help. The 988 hotline has been a lifesaver. This decision should be reversed.”