Krishnamoorthi Joins LGBTQ Youth Roundtable, Calls for Restoration of 988 LGBTQ Crisis Services

CHICAGO - Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) today joined Equality Illinois, Center on Halsted, the ACLU of Illinois, Kenneth Young Center, Brave Space Alliance, and LGBTQ+ high school and college students for a roundtable discussion on mental health, support services, and the experiences of LGBTQ+ young people. Following the discussion, participants held a press conference calling on the Trump Administration to restore the 988 Lifeline's LGBTQ+ youth crisis services, which were discontinued in 2025 despite helping more than 1.5 million LGBTQ+ young people nationwide.

During the roundtable, students spoke about the challenges facing LGBTQ+ young people, including mental health concerns, access to supportive communities, and the importance of knowing help is available during difficult moments. Participants also discussed the role that affirming services and trusted support systems can play in helping young people navigate those challenges. According to The Trevor Project, 41 percent of LGBTQ+ young people in Illinois seriously considered suicide in the past year, while nearly two-thirds reported symptoms of anxiety.

"The young people we heard from today spoke candidly about the challenges they face and the importance of having support systems they can rely on," said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. "The Trump Administration shut down the 988 Lifeline's LGBTQ+ youth crisis services despite the fact that these services have helped more than 1.5 million LGBTQ+ young people. Congress directed these services be restored and provided funding to make it happen, yet the Administration continues to delay. When young people reach out for help in a moment of crisis, they deserve to know someone will be there to answer. Secretary Kennedy should restore these services immediately because lives are literally on the line."

"At Kenneth Young Center, we know that connection, affirmation, and access to support can make a profound difference in a young person's life. LGBTQ+ youth deserve to know that when they reach out in a moment of need, they will be met with understanding, compassion, and care," said Michelle Barron, Community Collaboration Division Deputy Director of the Kenneth Young Center. "Restoring the 988 Lifeline's LGBTQ+ youth crisis services is an important step toward ensuring that every young person has access to the help they need to thrive."

"As the current administration continues to target queer and trans youth through policy changes and the removal of lifesaving resources, including 988, we must remember that this work belongs to all of us," said Luke Romesberg, PhD, LPC, CADC of Center on Halsted. "Advocates, volunteers, policymakers, community members, and allies cannot do it alone. If you feel this issue does not impact you directly, you are likely to know someone, have friends, or have family members, who are impacted. Those with the ability, voice, and privilege to speak out must continue to expose injustice, demand change, and protect queer and trans youth."

"As we mark Pride Month, it is a sad reality that the current leadership of the federal government is using policy and rhetoric to single out and target LGBTQ+ youth, especially trans youth," added Edwin C. Yohnka, director of communications and public policy at the ACLU of Illinois. "In a desperate desire to score cheap political points, the Trump Administration is pursuing policies that rob these youth of necessary health care and human dignity. It is critical that we maintain necessary resources and services for these brave young people."

Congressman Krishnamoorthi has led efforts in Congress to restore and protect LGBTQ+ youth crisis services, including securing $33.1 million in Fiscal Year 2026 funding for their restoration and introducing the bipartisan 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act. Earlier this month, the Trump Administration acknowledged that Congress directed restoration of the services but said it is still determining how to implement the program while complying with Executive Order 14168, President Trump's executive order targeting transgender Americans.