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.

Being Queer and T1D

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.

Jo's pic, after top surgery

Queer and 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:

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!

Being Queer and T1D

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

About the Author

Queer and T1D

Hey:) My name is Jo and I use the pronouns them/them. I am a queer, gay, trans nonbinary individual who has been living with T1D since September 2015. I currently am an uninvited settler on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Lheidli T’enneh where I am a student at UNBC. When I’m not busy with school you can find me hanging with my cat Mew or in my garden!

It Gets Better Canada
The It Gets Better Project envisions a world where all 2SLGBTQ+ youth are free to live equally and know their worthiness and power as individuals. If you are in crisis or in need of immediate help in Canada, text or call one of the numbers provided on their website, or search for a local resource near you. Get help here >