Stories
Stories are a powerful tool for communication, support, and building community.
Our story collection includes links to first hand accounts, digital stories, articles, comics, zines, anthologies and more. Click on the coloured tags to view by topic.
“Our stories are important. Our stories are sacred...and my story is sacred. Being able to connect with other queer people who have experienced cancer, it makes it feel like the experience is less isolating. ”
ENBY breast/chest cancer
Mike, a non-binary illustrator, animator, designer, & filmmaker from Calgary, discusses their breast/chest cancer & navigating gendered spaces.
Medical bias & missing the signs
As a young woman, Jennifer Trefzger was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer. Her diagnosis was a result of a surprise finding through routine bloodwork as part of her gender-affirming care.
"Dysphoria can be really crippling"
James lives in Newfoundland and Labrador. He was diagnosed with stage 4 endometrial cancer in 2021.
Two times the cancer, one hell of a queer journey
Peter's experiences demonstrate the challenges of navigating a gendered cancer as a gay man & the importance of queer resilience.
Navigating non-hodgkin’s lymphoma as a young adult
Michelle discusses her experience with non-hodgkin’s lymphoma as a queer young adult.
KB & Cancer Queers
KB is a US-based non-binary queer activist, artist, musician, & writer. They were diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2022 at the age of 31.
Young, queer & caring for family
Angeline (they/she) is a queer teen living in Toronto with her mom & brother. Her mom is living with metastatic breast cancer.
Let somebody know you
Global news article detailing disparities in care for queer & BIPOC people with cancer that features several stories.
Creating the support I needed
Stewart (they/them) was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia as a young adult. Unable to find the support they needed, Stewart founded the UK LGBTQ+ cancer charity OUTpatients.
Share your story
If you have a story you’d like to share (you can be anonymous or use a pseudonym) we would love to hear from you.