Feeling ‘not enough’ or ‘too much’: Exploring how LGBTQ+ adults experiencing disability navigate Canadian health contexts

Disability and LGBTQ+ communities experience healthcare disparities, however, most research has looked at these communities separately which erases the unique health experiences of people who belong to both. This project sought to explore intersections between gender, sexuality and disability within Canadian health contexts through three life-story interviews with seven adults (aged 25-35; 21 interviews total) who identified as LGBTQ+ and experiencing disability. Thematic narrative analysis resulted in interrelated themes associated with axes of self-identification that demonstrated how participants navigated tensions between being perceived as not disabled, trans and/or queer 'enough' or 'too much' within healthcare settings. Participants relayed stories of strategically omitting and/or sharing aspects of their intersectional identities with healthcare providers to receive the care they needed. This study, in demonstrating some of the difficult compromises and decisions LGBTQ+ adults who experience disability navigate to access healthcare, highlights how ableism, cis-heterosexism and racism intertwine to shape medical systems.