U.S suicide prevention hotline cutting service for 2SLGBTQ+ youth
The 988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will stop providing tailored support options to LGBTQ+ youth and young adults on July 17, according to a statement on a federal agency's website.
The decision preempts the Trump administration's 2026 budget proposal to cut funding for 988's LGBTQ+ youth and young adult services, and is raising alarm bells among LGBTQ+ advocates.
Federal data shows the LGBTQ+ youth program has served nearly 1.3 million callers since it started in September 2022. The services were accessible under the 'Press 3' option on the phone or by replying 'PRIDE' via text.
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The decision was was made to 'no longer silo' the services and 'to focus on serving all help seekers, including those previously served through the Press 3 option,' the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) said in a statement dated Tuesday on its website.
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News of the LGBTQ+ service shutting down comes as the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors on Wednesday.
The Trevor Project said it received official notice Tuesday that the program was ending. The nonprofit is one of seven centres that provides 988 crisis support services for LGBTQ+ people, and serves nearly half of the people who contact the lifeline.
'Suicide prevention is about people, not politics,' Trevor Project CEO Jaymes Black said in a statement Wednesday. 'The administration's decision to remove a bipartisan, evidence-based service that has effectively supported a high-risk group of young people through their darkest moments is incomprehensible.'
In its statement on the 988 decision, SAMHSA referred to the 'LGB+ youth services.'
Black called the omission of the 'T' representing transgender people 'callous.' 'Transgender people can never, and will never, be erased,' he said.
The Trevor Project will continue to run its 24/7 mental health support services, as will other organizations, and leaders of 988 say the hotline will serve anyone who calls with compassion.
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there were 49,300 suicides in 2023 — about the highest level in the nation's history, based on preliminary data.
Studies have shown that LGBTQ+ youth are at higher risk of suicide, including a 2024 analysis by the CDC that found 26 per cent of transgender and gender-questioning students attempted suicide in the past year. That's compared with 5 per cent of cisgender male and 11 per cent of cisgender female students.
Young transgender people flooded crisis hotlines with calls after President Donald Trump was re-elected. Trump made anti-transgender themes central to his campaign and has since rolled back many civil rights protections and access to gender-affirming care.
Trump signed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 into law in October 2020.
The specific 988 subprogram for LGBTQ+ youth cost $33 million in fiscal year 2024, according to SAMHSA, and as of June 2025, more than $33 million has been spent on the services. The Trump administration's 2026 budget proposal called for keeping 988's total budget at $520 million, even while eliminating the LGBTQ+ services.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants to wrap SAMHSA and other agencies into a new HHS office called the Administration for a Healthy America, where it would coexist with employees from other agencies responsible for chemical exposures and work-related injuries.
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Toronto Sun
34 minutes ago
- Toronto Sun
The success of a key NATO summit is in doubt after Spain rejects a big hike in defence spending
Published Jun 20, 2025 • 5 minute read Security ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday, June 18, 2025. Photo by Peter Dejong, File / AP Photo BRUSSELS — The success of a key NATO summit hung in the balance on Friday, after Spain announced that it cannot raise the billions of dollars needed to meet a new defence investment pledge demanded by U.S. President Donald Trump. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. 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Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Trump and his NATO counterparts are meeting for two days in the Netherlands from next Tuesday. He insists that U.S. allies should commit to spending at least 5% of gross domestic product, but that requires investment at an unprecedented scale. Trump has cast doubt over whether the U.S. would defend allies that spend too little. Setting the spending goal would be a historic decision. It would see all 32 countries invest the same amount in defence for the first time. Only last week, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte expressed confidence that they would endorse it. But in a letter to Rutte on Thursday, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote that 'committing to a 5% target would not only be unreasonable, but also counterproductive.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It would move Spain away from optimal spending and it would hinder the (European Union's) ongoing efforts to strengthen its security and defence ecosystem,' Sanchez wrote in the letter, seen by The Associated Press. Spain is not entirely alone Belgium, Canada, France and Italy would also struggle to hike security spending by billions of dollars, but Spain is the only country to officially announce its intentions, making it hard to row back from such a public decision. Beyond his economic challenges, Sanchez has other problems. He relies on small parties to govern, and corruption scandals have ensnared his inner circle and family members. He's under growing pressure to call an early election. In response to the letter, Rutte's office said only that 'discussions among allies on a new defence investment plan are ongoing.' NATO's top civilian official had been due to table a new proposal on Friday to try to break the deadlock. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The U.S. and French envoys had also been due to update reporters about the latest developments ahead of the summit but postponed their briefings. Rutte and many European allies are desperate to resolve the problem by Tuesday so that Trump does not derail the summit, as he did during his first term at NATO headquarters in 2018. Budget boosting After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, NATO allies agreed that 2% of GDP should be the minimum they spend on their military budgets. But NATO's new plans for defending its own territory against outside attack require investment of at least 3%. Spain agreed to those plans in 2023. The 5% goal is made up of two parts. The allies would agree to hike pure defence spending to 3.5% of GDP. A further 1.5% would go to upgrade roads, bridges, ports and airfields so that armies can better deploy, and to prepare societies for future attacks. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Mathematically, 3.5 plus 1.5 equals Trump's 5%. But a lot is hiding behind the figures and details of what kinds of things can be included remain cloudy. Countries closest to Russia, Belarus and Ukraine have all agreed to the target, as well as nearby Germany, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands, which is hosting the June 24-25 summit. The Netherlands estimates that NATO's defence plans would force it to dedicate at least 3.5% to core defence spending. That means finding an additional 16 billion to 19 billion euros ($18 billion to $22 billion). Supplying arms and ammunition to Ukraine, which Spain does, will also be included as core defence spending. NATO estimates that the U.S. spent around 3.2% of GDP on defence last year. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The additional 1.5% spending basket is murkier. Rutte and many members argue that infrastructure used to deploy armies to the front must be included, as well as building up defence industries and preparing citizens for possible attacks. 'If a tank is not able to cross a bridge. If our societies are not prepared in case war breaks out for a whole of society approach. If we are not able to really develop the defence industrial base, then the 3.5% is great but you cannot really defend yourselves,' Rutte said this month. Spain wanted climate change spending included, but that proposal was rejected. Cyber-security and counter-hybrid warfare investment should also make the cut. Yet with all the conjecture about what might be included, it's difficult to see how Rutte arrived at this 1.5% figure. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It's not enough to agree to spend more money. Many allies haven't yet hit the 2% target, although most will this year, and they had a decade to get there. So an incentive is required. The date of 2032 has been floated as a deadline. That's far shorter than previous NATO targets, but military planners estimate that Russian forces could be capable of launching an attack on an ally within 5-10 years. The U.S. insists that it cannot be an open-ended pledge, and that a decade is too long. Still, Italy says it wants 10 years to hit the 5% target. Another issue is how fast spending should be ramped up. 'I have a cunning plan for that,' Rutte said. He wants the allies to submit annual plans that lay out how much they intend to increase spending by. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. For Europe, Russia's war on Ukraine poses an existential threat. A major rise in sabotage, cyberattacks and GPS jamming incidents is blamed on Moscow. European leaders are girding their citizens for the possibility of more. The United States also insists that China poses a threat. But for European people to back a hike in national defence spending, their governments require acknowledgement that the Kremlin remains NATO's biggest security challenge. The billions required for security will be raised by taxes, going into debt, or shuffling money from other budgets. But it won't be easy for many, as Spain has shown. On top of that, Trump has made things economically tougher by launching a global tariff war — ostensibly for U.S. national security reasons — something America's allies find hard to fathom. Toronto & GTA MMA News World Sunshine Girls
Vancouver Sun
an hour ago
- Vancouver Sun
The decision to enter the war against Iran lies with Trump, Israeli minister says
The United States will make its own decision about whether to enter the war against Iran, and Israel will not pressure the Trump administration to do so, Minister of Diaspora and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli told JNS on Thursday. The statement follows the White House's announcement that President Donald Trump will make a definitive decision on whether to enter the conflict within two weeks. 'The United States has an excellent president who knows exactly what is in the best interest of his country,' Chikli said. 'We don't make decisions for them.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'But it's no secret that Iran is the enemy of the United States,' he continued. 'At every conference and parade of this regime, they shout, 'Death to America, Death to Israel.'' Chikli said that the world has not forgotten Iran's nefarious activities, such as the 1979-81 U.S. embassy hostage crisis in Tehran, where American diplomats were held captive for more than a year. He also referenced the 1983 Hezbollah attack on the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, which resulted in the deaths of 241 American service members and 58 French personnel. These events, he emphasized, are stark reminders of Iran's longstanding hostility toward the United States and its direct involvement in attacks on Americans. 'Iran is an enemy of America, an enemy of Israel, and an enemy of Western civilization,' Chikli said. 'It's up to each state, including the U.S., to decide if they want to join us,' he continued. 'We respect every decision. We are grateful for President Trump's diplomatic support in recent weeks and for his role in removing the arms embargo imposed by the Biden administration, which has allowed us to purchase the crucial weapons needed for these operations.' Chikli stressed that Israel is facing an existential threat, particularly from ballistic missiles, which are now being systematically neutralized. He added that the military is targeting missile factories, arsenals and launchers, having already eliminated two-thirds of the stockpile. Regarding the nuclear threat, Chikli said, 'We're taking steps, one by one, targeting key sites like Natanz, Isfahan and Arak. Top scientists working on Iran's nuclear project have been eliminated, and we're determined to finish the job.' Opposition lawmaker Karine Elharrar (Yesh Atid) told JNS that Iran represents a 'grave threat' not only to Israel but to the entire world. She highlighted Tehran's ballistic missile strike on Thursday that targeted Soroka Medical Center in Beersheva. 'The threat will only be neutralized if Iran is completely prevented from acquiring nuclear capabilities and if its ballistic arsenal is dismantled,' she said. 'Additionally, Iran must be deterred and made to understand that it cannot continue to act against us in the region without facing serious consequences.' Religious Zionism lawmaker Simcha Rothman told JNS that the world should not require an attack on a hospital to recognize Iran as a threat, pointing out that the Islamic Republic has been targeting civilian areas from the very beginning of the war. 'Iran was behind Hamas's vicious attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, both before and after, and has been behind Hezbollah's attacks as well. Iran has always directed its attacks at civilians in the most brutal ways, both then and now. The world sees this, and those who choose not to stand with Israel do so willingly, supporting evil,' he said. He emphasized that Israel is following the right course of action, saying that it is essential to dismantle Iran's missile and nuclear programs, as both pose a direct threat to Israel and global peace. The ultimate goal, he added, is to eliminate Iran's capacity to target Israel. 'I believe President Trump understands the situation,' said Rothman. 'We see how he speaks publicly, and he recognizes that this is an opportunity to make the world a better place. I believe he wants to be part of it and lead this effort.'
Global News
an hour ago
- Global News
Spain rejects proposed defence spending hike ahead of NATO summit
The success of a key NATO summit hung in the balance on Friday, after Spain announced that it cannot raise the billions of dollars needed to meet a new defence investment pledge demanded by U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump and his NATO counterparts are meeting for two days in the Netherlands from next Tuesday. He insists that U.S. allies should commit to spending at least five per cent of gross domestic product, but that requires investment at an unprecedented scale. Trump has cast doubt over whether the U.S. would defend allies that spend too little. Setting the spending goal would be a historic decision. It would see all 32 countries invest the same amount in defence for the first time. Only last week, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte expressed confidence that they would endorse it. Story continues below advertisement But in a letter to Rutte on Thursday, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wrote that 'committing to a five per cent target would not only be unreasonable, but also counterproductive.' 'It would move Spain away from optimal spending and it would hinder the (European Union's) ongoing efforts to strengthen its security and defense ecosystem,' Sánchez wrote in the letter, seen by The Associated Press. Spain is not entirely alone Belgium, Canada, France and Italy would also struggle to hike security spending by billions of dollars, but Spain is the only country to officially announce its intentions, making it hard to row back from such a public decision. Beyond his economic challenges, Sánchez has other problems. He relies on small parties to govern, and corruption scandals have ensnared his inner circle and family members. He's under growing pressure to call an early election. Story continues below advertisement 6:20 PM Carney pledges to meet NATO's 2% defence spending target this year In response to the letter, Rutte's office said only that 'discussions among allies on a new defence investment plan are ongoing.' NATO's top civilian official had been due to table a new proposal on Friday to try to break the deadlock. The U.S. and French envoys had also been due to update reporters about the latest developments ahead of the summit but postponed their briefings. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Rutte and many European allies are desperate to resolve the problem by Tuesday so that Trump does not derail the summit, as he did during his first term at NATO headquarters in 2018. Budget boosting After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, NATO allies agreed that two per cent of GDP should be the minimum they spend on their military budgets. But NATO's new plans for defending its own territory against outside attack require investment of at least three per cent. Spain agreed to those plans in 2023. Story continues below advertisement The five per cent goal is made up of two parts. The allies would agree to hike pure defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP. A further 1.5 per cent would go to upgrade roads, bridges, ports and airfields so that armies can better deploy, and to prepare societies for future attacks. Mathematically, 3.5 plus 1.5 equals Trump's five per cent. But a lot is hiding behind the figures and details of what kinds of things can be included remain cloudy. 2:40 Carney says increasing defence spending about 'defending Canada,' not just NATO targets Countries closest to Russia, Belarus and Ukraine have all agreed to the target, as well as nearby Germany, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands, which is hosting the June 24-25 summit. The Netherlands estimates that NATO's defence plans would force it to dedicate at least 3.5 per cent to core defence spending. That means finding an additional 16 billion to 19 billion euros ($18 billion to $22 billion). Story continues below advertisement Supplying arms and ammunition to Ukraine, which Spain does, will also be included as core defence spending. NATO estimates that the U.S. spent around 3.2 per cent of GDP on defence last year. Dual use, making warfighting possible The additional 1.5 per cent spending basket is murkier. Rutte and many members argue that infrastructure used to deploy armies to the front must be included, as well as building up defence industries and preparing citizens for possible attacks. 'If a tank is not able to cross a bridge. If our societies are not prepared in case war breaks out for a whole of society approach. If we are not able to really develop the defence industrial base, then the 3.5 per cent is great but you cannot really defend yourselves,' Rutte said this month. Spain wanted climate change spending included, but that proposal was rejected. Cyber-security and counter-hybrid warfare investment should also make the cut. Yet with all the conjecture about what might be included, it's difficult to see how Rutte arrived at this 1.5 per cent figure. Story continues below advertisement The when, the how, and a cunning plan It's not enough to agree to spend more money. Many allies haven't yet hit the two per cent target, although most will this year, and they had a decade to get there. So an incentive is required. The date of 2032 has been floated as a deadline. That's far shorter than previous NATO targets, but military planners estimate that Russian forces could be capable of launching an attack on an ally within five to 10 years. 1:31 NATO's Rutte says the alliance needs to produce more weapons The U.S. insists that it cannot be an open-ended pledge, and that a decade is too long. Still, Italy says it wants 10 years to hit the five per cent target. Story continues below advertisement Another issue is how fast spending should be ramped up. 'I have a cunning plan for that,' Rutte said. He wants the allies to submit annual plans that lay out how much they intend to increase spending by. The reasons for the spending hike For Europe, Russia's war on Ukraine poses an existential threat. A major rise in sabotage, cyberattacks and GPS jamming incidents is blamed on Moscow. European leaders are girding their citizens for the possibility of more. The United States also insists that China poses a threat. But for European people to back a hike in national defence spending, their governments require acknowledgement that the Kremlin remains NATO's biggest security challenge. The billions required for security will be raised by taxes, going into debt, or shuffling money from other budgets. But it won't be easy for many, as Spain has shown. Story continues below advertisement On top of that, Trump has made things economically tougher by launching a global tariff war — ostensibly for U.S. national security reasons — something America's allies find hard to fathom.
