An Analysis of Transgender Crowdfunding in the Context of State-Led Anti-Transgender Legislation

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of anti-transgender legislation on the use of crowdfunding platforms by transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals in the United States. Using data from 349 GoFundMe campaigns created between March and June 2022, we analyzed the reasons for seeking funding and their potential correlation with state-level anti-transgender policies. Our findings reveal that 61% of campaigns originated from states with proposed or enacted anti-transgender legislation, with 19.5% coming from states posing significant barriers to healthcare services for TGD individuals. The most common reasons for crowdfunding included housing (44.7%), living expenses (35.5%), and gender-affirming surgeries (28.1%). Notably, campaigns from anti-transgender states showed a significant correlation with explicitly mentioning hostile state environments (Φ = 0.2843, p < 0.0001) and seeking relocation (Φ = 0.2040, p = 0.0001). These results highlight the profound impact of discriminatory legislation on TGD individuals, forcing many to seek alternative financial support for basic needs and essential medical care. This research underscores the urgent need for more inclusive healthcare policies and support systems for the TGD community.