Many LGBTQI+ individuals who have and have had cancer do not feel welcome or understood in mainstream support groups, and transgender survivors have been specially excluded. There are very few LGBTQI+ cancer peer support groups across the country, and those individuals who live further from major metropolitan areas are unlikely to find one at all. A study conducted by the National LGBT Cancer Network confirmed that LGBTQI+-specific support groups were the top request made by LGBTQI+ cancer survivors.
Here are a few additional recommendations:
Another place to find support is Facebook. Facebook groups are constantly adding members and thus stay active for a relatively long time. Some recommendations are:
- Lesbian Cancer Survivors and Caregivers– private Facebook Group
- Transgender Cancer Network– private Facebook Group
- Escape Virtual Meetups – support groups for LGBTQI+ Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Patients, Survivors, and Caregivers.
- Colorectal Cancer and LGBTTQQIAAP Community -public Facebook Group
- CancerCare for adults
- Stupid Cancer
- Young Survival Coalition (for young adults with breast cancer)
- Life with Cancer
- Queering Cancer (based in Canada)
- Young Adult Survivors United offers an LGBTQI+ support groups Click here to fill out the registration form.
- Camp Kesem(supports kids 6-18 who have been impacted by a parent’s cancer, whether that parent/primary caregiver currently has cancer, is in remission, or passed away from cancer)
- FORCE (provides different live event opportunities for LGBTQIA+ people navigating hereditary cancer and more)