Nonprofit touted by Gavin Newsom hung up on trans child — after he expressed concerns about transitioning

A pro-trans nonprofit supported by Gov. Gavin Newsom hung up on a “suicidal child” who called their mental health hotline — after he expressed concerns about transitioning and the “sex-rejecting” drugs he was prescribed, according to harrowing testimony he gave to California lawmakers Wednesday.

Joni Skinner, a 23-year-old Michigan man now detransitioning after identifying as transgender when he was younger, told lawmakers that he was placed on puberty blockers and estrogen as a teenager.

During that time, he said he was isolated and bullied because his body’s physical development stopped as a result of the meds.

“I was having thoughts of suicide because I didn’t like anything about my body,” Skinner said, adding his self-hatred worsened after starting gender-affirming interventions.

He said he then turned to the Trevor Project because “that’s what LGBT influencers online told me that’s who you call.”

The organization markets itself as the “leading crisis intervention” nonprofit with a 24/7 suicide hotline for youth in need.

The Trevor Project worker who answered his call was very nice and affirming at first, Skinner testified.

However, the worker’s tune changed when Skinner shared about the side effects of his transition and his depression.

“They got very quiet, and then they hung up on me, a suicidal child,” he told lawmakers. “The world caved in, and I cried myself to sleep that night.”

The California Post reached out to the Trevor Project to comment on the alleged incident.

Under current California law, signed by Gavin Newsom last year, all ID cards for students in grades 7-12 must have the phone number for the Trevor Project printed on them. https://t.co/KPCkXBLMPv

— Laura Powell (@LauraPowellEsq) March 18, 2026

Skinner’s testimony comes as lefty California lawmakers seek to direct more LGBTQ children in crisis toward the Trevor Project.

Last year, Democratic Gov. Newsom signed into law a requirement that all student IDs for public schools serving grades 7 to 12 list the Project’s suicide hotline. That rule goes into effect this July.

The cards currently include just the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Gov. Newsom also announced last July a partnership with The Trevor Project and California Health and Human Services Agency to provide “enhanced competency training” for 988 counselors.

“While the Trump administration continues its attacks on LGBTQ kids, California has a message to the community: we see you and we’re here for you,” Newsom said in a statement at the time.

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“We’re proud to work with the Trevor Project to ensure that every person in our state can get the support they need to live a happy, healthy life.”

Meanwhile, California Democrats proposed legislation this year that would mandate the state’s publicly funded “988” system — the new “911” for mental health crises — to enable transfers to a network of “LGBTQ+ suicide prevention specialists.”

The bill would let the state administer grants to such services and to determine who qualifies, such as nonprofits. That description could include the Trevor Project.

Skinner, however, opposes lawmakers’ efforts and questioned whether the Trevor Project actually helps.

Opponents of this year’s bill, such as anti-trans group Our Duty USA, claim it would silo federal funds to the nonprofit specifically.

“AB 1540 would direct kids like me directly to organizations like the Trevor Project, an organization that believes children can be born wrong,” Skinner told lawmakers.

“Don’t send the next kid to the people who abandoned me.”