Author: Robin
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Book Review – QDA: A Queer Disability Anthology
“An unexamined public kiss is a privilege, enjoyed by those who are not marked out as the “other” by a stranger’s gaze. For me, a kiss is a political act of lustful resistance, whether I want it to be or not because it highlights those things people don’t want to think about let alone talk…
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The Kylie Jenner Photo Shoot Is Confused about Sex and Disability Tropes
We need to talk about the fact that Kylie Jenner, a conventionally beautiful able-bodied woman who fits societal standards of beauty in almost every way is allowed to be sexy and edgy in a wheelchair, when that reality is so often denied to many wheelchair using women. We need to talk about the fact that…
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Ready, Sexy, Able Round-Up: November
Sex, Sexuality, and Disability New study investigating how to support people with disability to have sex Facilitated sex has been a hot button issue for a long time, with concerns ranging from ensuring disabled people’s privacy to supporting a safe (including sexually safe) workplace for attendants and assistants. Lead researcher, Dr Russell Shuttleworth, says the…
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Ready, Sexy, Able Voices: Kaleigh Trace
Writer and sex educator Kaleigh Trace “works with words and dildos.” I first met Kaleigh when she presented at the Guelph Sexuality Confrence on disability, desirability, and resistance. She’s thoughtful and charmingly funny in person, as well as an ace presenter. She’s also a refreshing voice in the sex and disability field, with lots of…
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Learning About Interpersonal Violence in the Deaf Community: Breaking Silences Day 2
Peer Advocate’s Experience of Deaf Women’s Disclosure of Sexual Assault Noelle Opsahl, Master of Education of the Deaf (M.E.D.) Gallaudet University First, a cool thing. Noelle, the presenter,told us that this was the first time she’d given this presentation in English, though she’s presented it in ASL (American Sign Language) several times. Noelle is hearing,…
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Asexuality, Poetry, and Maternal Identity: Breaking silences Day 1
Thoughts and observations from day one of Breaking Silences, Wright State University’s first sex and disability conference. I opted for participating in discussions over taking notes, so these session summaries are just that, summaries of the content and my reactions to it. Bringing (A)Sexy Back: Exploring Disability and Asexuality Cara Liebowitz of That Crazy Crippled…
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Ready, Sexy, Able October Round-Up
Sexuality, Relationships, and Disability A Love Letter to My Neurotypical Husband, From Your Autistic Wife People often say marriage (or any long-term romantic relationship) is about compromise. I think it’s about understanding, showing that understanding, growing with a partner. This woman and her husband don’t – can’t – just go through the motions of a…
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What does coming out as LGBQ or trans mean for disabled people?
It’s National Coming Out Day, and I’m thinking about people with disabilities who are queer, gender nonconforming, or both. Queer and trans* people around the United States and Canada will celebrate this weekend. Some will come out for the first time ever. Some have been out for years. Some will never be or feel safe…
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Ready, Sexy, Able Voices: Interview with Sexologist Bethany Stevens
I first met Bethany Stevens at American University, where we were both speaking on the Exquisite, Beauty is Disability ableism awareness panel. Right away I noticed her confidence and passion (not to mention her brilliant mind that didn’t seem to miss a thing) and have been following her work for the past three years. Bethany…