Influencer and YouTube personality Trisha Paytas has donated more than $10,000 to a nonprofit organization supporting transgender individuals, as LGBTQ+ communities in the United States and beyond face growing social and political challenges.
Paytas, a longtime digital creator known for their candid online persona and evolving public identity, revealed on Thursday that they donated $10,500 to Trans Lifeline, a peer-support and crisis intervention nonprofit focused on the trans community. The donation, which amounts to roughly £7,880, was posted on their Instagram story, where they also encouraged others to give.
“Thank you for all the support on the tour,” they wrote to their Instagram followers. “Donating to Trans Lifeline today to keep the community safe/protected during these scary times.”
Founded in 2014, Trans Lifeline operates 24/7 crisis hotlines in the U.S. and Canada, offering direct peer support from trained trans volunteers. The organization also provides microgrants, community education, and advocacy aimed at reducing discrimination and suicide rates among transgender people—services many advocates say are increasingly essential in today’s political climate.
Fans and supporters were quick to applaud Paytas for their donation, with many praising both the gesture and the transparency.
“I love this wonderful human and am grateful for their transparency,” one fan wrote. Another added, “I like that they post their donations when linking because otherwise people get upset that a rich person is asking their fans to give money instead of donating themselves. They always donate first and make that clear.”
While Paytas’ contribution was largely met with praise, their relationship with the LGBTQ+ community—particularly with trans individuals—has been marked by past controversy. In 2019, they posted a video stating that they identified as a transgender man. However, in the same video, they said they still identified closely with their sex assigned at birth, which led to confusion and criticism from many in the trans and nonbinary community.
Critics at the time accused them of misrepresenting gender identity for attention or profit. Paytas later clarified that they identify as nonbinary and now use she/they pronouns. Since then, they have expressed more consistent support for LGBTQ+ issues and have taken part in awareness campaigns and philanthropic efforts.
Despite these earlier controversies, many praised the donation to Trans Lifeline as a positive and meaningful action, especially during a time when trans communities in the U.S. and U.K. are under mounting pressure.
The donation comes in the wake of a draft report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which surfaced in late April. The report recommended “exploratory therapy” as an alternative to gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth—language that many LGBTQ+ rights groups say dangerously echoes discredited and harmful conversion therapy practices.
The leak prompted widespread concern among LGBTQ+ advocates and healthcare professionals, who warned that such recommendations could roll back years of progress in protecting the mental and physical health of transgender young people.
Organizations like Trans Lifeline argue that consistent and affirming support is critical in countering this kind of rhetoric. According to data from The Trevor Project, more than 50% of transgender and nonbinary youth seriously considered suicide in the past year, underscoring the importance of crisis resources like those provided by Trans Lifeline.
Paytas’ donation comes at a time when many nonprofits are struggling to meet growing demand. Trans Lifeline acknowledged the contribution in a statement, noting that high-profile donations like this help keep critical resources available to those most at risk.
While Paytas has faced significant scrutiny in the past, they remain one of the internet’s most recognizable and enduring figures. With over 5 million subscribers on YouTube and a substantial following across Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms, their reach gives them the power to draw attention to important causes—something they have increasingly embraced.
In recent years, Paytas has been vocal about their experiences with mental health, body image, and internet criticism. They have also used their platform to support causes such as anti-bullying campaigns, eating disorder awareness, and LGBTQ+ rights. This latest donation is part of a broader pattern of advocacy and philanthropy that has emerged as a more central theme in their content.
The influencer’s action appears to have inspired others as well. After they posted the donation receipt, several fans shared screenshots of their own contributions to Trans Lifeline, thanking Paytas for encouraging them to give back.
As debates over gender-affirming care and trans rights intensify in the United States and abroad, Paytas’ donation is a reminder that individual acts of support—particularly from influential public figures—can help fuel community resilience.
For those interested in contributing, donations to Trans Lifeline can be made directly through their official website at https://translifeline.org.
