Being Queer and T1D: The Intersection of Diabetes & Gender Identity

Being Queer and T1D

Embracing My Queer and T1D Identities

June is Pride month, and I am so thankful to have been given this opportunity to share some of my experiences as a queer type 1 diabetic! A little bit of background on myself: I was diagnosed with T1D in the fall of my grade 8 year and came out as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community around the same time. Reflecting on my journeys with diabetes and my queer identity, I find lots of intersections. I think a lot of this has to do with how in tune we as diabetics must be with our bodies. As I have been learning more about myself through recognizing how my blood sugars react to different activities and foods, I too have been dealing with things like gender dysphoria and getting to know who I am as a queer person. I have met many people who are part of the T1D and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, and I think this overlap is a result of knowing your body and your soul on a deep level, in ways people outside of these communities just cannot understand.

Transitioning in Multiple Ways

As I have transitioned from insulin pens to an insulin pump and later back to insulin pens, I have also transitioned from identifying as bisexual to lesbian to gay/queer and from a cis woman to a trans nonbinary person. Getting to know myself on such a deep level, both inside and out, has been such a privilege, and I would not trade these experiences for the world.

I recently got top surgery (a double mastectomy) to alter my appearance to better fit my gender identity, and I truly think the healing process went as smoothly as it did because I know how to read my body and understand what it needs, thanks to T1D.

PrideTime Radio Show

I got to host a radio show through my campus radio station (CFUR 88.7 FM) and the UNBC Northern Pride Centre last year and it was such a fun experience! I got to interview different members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community at my school and broaden my knowledge of queer history and music! I named the show PrideTime and focused on Canadian artists and played songs either written or performed by queer people or songs that held significance to the community. I also shared what each letter of the 2SLGBTQIA+ acronym meant and summarized a bunch of the different pride flags that exist! It was a really great way to teach myself and my small northern community a bit more about queer spaces.

To find older episodes of the show, you can go to the campus radio’s account on Mixcloud:

• CFUR Volunteer Tracks
• PrideTime Page

Final Thoughts and Pride Wishes

I wish everyone a happy Pride month! I hope you get to experience the beauty that is Pride, whether you’re part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community or an ally, in the closet or out, it’s a welcoming place for everyone! And if you keep your eyes peeled, you will likely spot some diabetes tech!

Bonus cat pic: My cat Mew, affectionally referred to as “Mewsef”, or “Mewcifur” when he’s bad.