More than 40 public figures, including Ariana Grande, Pedro Pascal, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dua Lipa, Daniel Radcliffe, and Sabrina Carpenter have signed an open letter urging the U.S. government to maintain funding for LGBTQ-specific services within the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

The letter, organized by The Trevor Project, comes in response to a proposal that would eliminate funding for the lifeline’s LGBTQ+ support option, which has helped thousands of callers since the service launched in 2022. The 988 Lifeline was created as a free, confidential resource for anyone in emotional distress, and the LGBTQ+ line was designed to connect callers with counselors trained in the experiences of queer and trans people.

The artists and activists behind this letter aren’t asking for much: just that this essential service stays available to the people who need it most. According to The Trevor Project’s research, LGBTQ+ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide as their peers. Identity-affirming support, especially in crisis situations, can make a real difference in helping someone feel safe enough to keep going.

“You may feel like no one hears you,” the letter says. “But we do.”

For many young people, especially those without support at home or in their communities, having the option to speak to someone who understands their identity it’s a matter of survival. That’s why the group is asking both Congress and the Trump administration to restore and protect funding for the program in the 2026 federal budget.

Many of the letter’s signers have a long, visible history of standing with the LGBTQ+ community, consistently throughout their careers. Pedro Pascal has been outspoken in his support for his trans sister, often using his platform to celebrate and uplift queer and trans voices with care and conviction. Ariana Grande has long been embraced as an LGBTQ+ ally, partnering with organizations like GLAAD and The Trevor Project, speaking openly about queer rights, and weaving messages of inclusion into her tours, music, and social media. Others, like Radcliffe and Lipa, have also used their platforms to advocate for equality and mental health access.

What makes this letter stand out from the usual wave of celebrity statements is how clear and grounded it is. There’s no broad language or vague calls for change, it’s a direct appeal tied to real policy decisions happening right now. At a time when LGBTQ+ rights are being challenged across the world, it’s a reminder that resources like the 988 LGBTQ+ lifeline are essential tools that save lives quietly and consistently.

At a moment when many queer and trans youth are being told they don’t belong, the message here is simple: you do. And when you reach out for help, someone who sees you should be on the other end of the line.