Differences in cancer-related crowdfunding between transgender or gender diverse and cisgender LGBTQ+ cancer campaigns: a mixed-methods analysis

Abstract

Purpose: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus (LGBTQ+) cancer survivors are at risk of financial hardship due to multilevel factors amplified by anti-LGBTQ+ stigma. Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) cancer survivors may experience greater financial hardship than cisgender lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals, but data on LGBTQ+ individuals is often reported in aggregate. We describe differences in crowdfunding experiences between TGD and LGB cancer crowdfunding campaigns to address this gap in TGD cancer-related financial hardship literature.

Methods: We used a mixed methods approach to evaluate LGBTQ+ cancer crowdfunding campaigns from GoFundMe's website, coded as TGD or LGB. Campaign data (amount raised, funding goal, etc.) were compared using summary statistics and independent t-tests. Qualitative content analysis described campaign text. Quantitative and qualitative findings were integrated by theme.

Results: A total of N = 470 LGBTQ+ cancer campaigns were included for this analysis, of which 175 (32.5%) were TGD campaigns and 295 (54.8%) were LGB. TGD campaigns raised 39% less than LGB campaigns ($7782 [$5842-$9723] vs. $12,724 [$10,525-$14,924], p < 0.0001). TGD campaigns had more mentions of perceived stigma in healthcare spaces and fewer mentions of caregiver support.

Conclusions: TGD cancer campaigns earned significantly less money than LGB campaigns, suggesting that TGD cancer survivors may face more challenges in using community-based financial support mechanisms to mitigate financial hardship. Structural stigma and transphobia may be impacting the amount of funds raised by TGD cancer survivors through crowdfunding.

Keywords: Cancer crowdfunding; Financial hardship; Gender diverse; Transgender.