Sexuality and Disability

SEXUALITY AND DISABILITY

AZINE FORTHESILBERMANCENTERFOR SEXUALITYANDGENDER'SSEXUALITYAND DISABILITYSERIES

BEYOND ABLEISM:

RECOGNIZING AND CELEBRATING DIVERSE SEXUALITIES

FOR THIS ZINE, WE MADE A CALL TO DISABLED ARTISTS FOR ZINE SUBMISSIONS SHOWCASING ARTWORK THAT DEMONSTRATES THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THEIR DISABILITY AND THEIR UNDERSTANDING, EXPERIENCES, ETC. WITH SEXUALITY, SEX, AND GENDER. WE GAVE EXAMPLES OF ART, INCLUDING DRAWINGS, PHOTOGRAPHS, POEMS, AND COLLAGES. SUBMISSIONS WERE OPEN TO ALL, NOT JUST SOCIAL WORKERS AND MSW STUDENTS. WE DID NOT POLICE ANYONE'S CLAIMS ABOUT THEIR DISABILITY STATUS AND DID NOT IMPOSE ANY RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT THE DISABILITY IS.

Here are their submissions:

REBECCA U. HAYES

SHE/HER

INSTAGRAM | @SOFTGOTHKITTEN

This piece was inspired by my lifetime of growing up as someone with Fibromyalgia who experiences misogyny, as well as my senior project Disability Studies research on chronic illness history and the historical diagnosis of Neurasthenia that shares similarities with Fibromyalgia and other chronic illnesses.

SHE/HERS INSTAGRAM | @MISSINGBITES

It feels like no coincidence that most accessible bathrooms are the gender neutral ones. My personal pride float feels like the most defined part of myself; it's the thing that people clock first when they see me and are actually right about.

MARY EMMA GARY

KATIE SILVER SHE/HER INSTAGRAM | @KSILVS _ ART

STOP is a short mini zine that I have made exploring how I felt as a middle schooler who was trying to regulate and separate emotions from actions. I was searching for a diagnosis which turned out later to be Bipolar Disorder. I am very lucky to be stable and that I was able to get away from the people who would taunt me to just get a reaction. Feeling feelings is not the problem, its what you do with those feelings that matters. It wasn't until I learned to say STOP and realizing when to withdraw that I was able to heal and not react physically.

JENSEN CARABALLO HE/HIM

I was recently struck by the revelation that I am now disabled in my sex dreams. For the first year after my stroke on the rare occasion I had a sex dream or fantasized in any detail my dream body was my abled body.

The first time I became aware of this shift I was typing out a fantasy to send to a brief long- distance fling. An erotic scene was punctuated by details like him rolling my arm out from under my body to protect the shoulder. These were important details to include when I thought such fantasies might be actualized. But I wasn’t just teaching him how to accommodate my disabled body sexually. When I visualized the scene to write it out I was as I am now. My left side doesn’t move much. My left leg must be physically spread to match the right. But it’s still being touched. I think this signals a shift in how I use fantasy and in how I see myself. Fantasy is no longer just retrodding old scenes for stimulation. It is much as it was for me before my stroke, a sandbox for exploration. When I regularly get dating app messages like “Is it wrong that I still would” in response to a photo of myself in a sexy bathing suit with my cane and AFO, I need a reminder that my body being sexual and desirable is not all that improbable. My dream self knows that now. My waking self is starting to.

Myself in Dreams is about realizing I had accepted my disabled body sexually in my subconscious if not consciously,and letting my dreaming mind guide my waking mind to acceptance.

MELANIE A. MARTINEZ SHE/HER

As an artist with a disability such as autism, I'm submitting my provocative artwork entitled "Bronze Model Body Figure." It appears that the topic of sexuality and gender is too often overlooked-especially for the I/DD community in this hookup culture. But unlike the Bible's Adam and Eve, however, people shouldn't be ashamed of their beautifully naked bodies! On top of all that, people would have so many puzzling views and opinions, regarding nude art in various museums, as well. Because if it weren't for God's gift of creation, then why can't we, as sexual beings, celebrate the bodies that we are given...in all forms?!

I am a colorful artist. I’m straight, all my friends are gay so I'm used to being around people who are gay. I feel most comfortable in queer spaces. I'm just so thankful for being part of the community as an ally.

ANONYMOUS

A sketch of a fertility goddess statue with an exaggerated figure.

"I am Beautiful, Unshaken, I moved with your hands, as you Picked me up, and guided me

Home

Mother I am Free

I am Earth

I am Pure

Though they tried to taint me Color me Red

But I am a Force of Nature

A Phoenix

I am Love

Unafraid

Unashamed

And now I know there is nothing More Beautiful

Then standing alone naked Looking in the Mirror, and I am no longer ashamed of Her."

Mixed Media (acrylic paint, Indian ink, oil pastel, permanent marker, watercolor paint, and pencil, with the last part of my poem handwritten by my mother) on Canvas.

ANGELICA CRISTINA VEGA SHE/HER/HERS INSTAGRAM | @PPURPLEDREAMSS

SEXUALITY AND DISABILITY SERIES

During the Fall of 2022, we launched the Sexuality and Disability series. We noticed the lack of conversations surrounding disability, disability rights, disability justice, and disability inclusion in our social work curricula, classroom, and practice. The Sexuality and Disability series presents a unique opportunity to broaden and deepen our comprehension of sexuality and gender through a lens that considers the intersections of disability. As a critical component of the mission of SCSG, such an endeavor has the potential to offer a more comprehensive understanding of disability-related concerns, an area to which social workers may not be fully attuned. Facilitating discourse on such topics would undoubtedly help make them more accessible and serve the overarching goals of SCSG's mission.

TERMS TO KNOW

Disability: The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 defines an individual as disabled if the person “(a) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of the individual; (b) has a record of such an impairment; or (c) is regarded as having such an impairment.” Since the 1970s, the rise of self-advocacy among people with disabilities has led to a reconceptualization of disability as a social construct, focusing on societal, cultural, political, and environmental barriers as more disabling than physical or cognitive impairments. Disability, like other human attributes, is a social construct that can be redefined through social and political processes. In various cultures, the term "disabled" lacks a universal definition, with different understandings of what is disabling or not.

TERMS TO KNOW

Disability rights are based on a single-issue identity, focusing exclusively on disability in other intersections, such as race, gender, sexuality, age, immigration status, religion, etc. The Disability Rights Movement fought for the civil rights of individuals with disabilities, creating more opportunities for them to participate in society. This movement gained momentum in the 1960s and resulted in the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, followed by similar legislation in other countries. However, the Disability Rights Movement did not fully consider the impact of other intersecting factors, including race, gender, class, and sexuality, on the oppression of individuals with disabilities. It has also centered on people with mobility impairments, marginalizing other types of disability and/or impairment. This is where Disability Justice steps in.

Disability justice: In 2005, Patty Berne, Mia Mingus, and Stacey Milbern, who were disabled queer activists were women of color, launched this framework to expand upon the “disability rights” movement, which established civil rights for people with disabilities.

A disability justice framework recognizes that All bodies are unique and essential. All bodies have strengths and needs that must be met. Everyone possesses strength and power, not in spite of the intricate nature of our bodies, but because of it.

All bodies are confined by ability, race, gender, sexuality, class, religion, and more, and we cannot separate them.

TERMS TO KNOW

Disability justice - CONTINUED

The "10 Principles of Disability Justice" were developed by the activists and artists of Sins Invalid, a disability justice performance project that centers people of color, queers, nonbinary and trans people with disabilities, to guide activists in creating a disability justice movement that dismantles ableism alongside other forms of oppression.

Intersectionality

Leadership of Those Most Impacted

Anti-Capitalist Politics

Commitment to Cross-Movement Organizing

Recognizing Wholeness

Sustainability

Commitment to Cross-Disability Solidarity

Interdependence

Collective Access

Collective Liberation

Ableism: beliefs, practices, and actions that devalue and exclude people with physical, intellectual, or emotional disabilities and people with health conditions, such as those who are immunocompromised or chronically ill.

Accessibility: guarantees that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can engage with the services or information offered. It means that people with disabilities have equal opportunity to access information, services, and interactions in a way that is as effective and integrated as someone without a disability. This includes ensuring that individuals with disabilities can access information and services independently and with the same ease of use as those without disabilities, even if the methods used are not identical.

TERMS TO KNOW

Inclusion: creating a sense of belonging through the empowerment of underrepresented voices in the decisionmaking process, but can be in general as well. It requires a balance of power and shared rights in a group, organization, or institution. Inclusive spaces value each voice and provide an empowering environment where everyone can participate actively through deliberate, authentic, and purposeful efforts, recognizing that no one person can speak for an entire community.

Intersectionality: a lens through which you can see where power comes and collides, where it interlocks and intersects, and how various individual characteristics, such as operate and sometimes exacerbate each other, demonstrating individuals’ and communities' different experiences with marginalization and privilege. It is a useful framework that helps understand how various types of discrimination, like ableism and homophobia, interact and intersect with one another to shape individuals' actual experiences.

Gender Affirmation: a diverse spectrum of actions and options that are crucial to an individual's survival and flourishing as their authentic gender identity. This can be through someone’s name, pronouns, and expression. The manifestation of gender affirmation is contingent upon various factors, such as personal preferences, safety considerations, and accessibility and availability of resources, and is hence distinctive to each transgender person.

TERMS TO KNOW

Gender Affirmation may show up in a few ways.

Social affirmation refers to the ways in which individuals express and present their authentic gender identity to the world around them. This can involve a variety of personal acts of affirmation, such as using a chosen name and pronouns, dressing in new clothing, altering one's physical appearance, experimenting with vocal expression, and engaging in activities that align with one's true self. Social affirmation also encompasses participating in everyday activities like work or school as one's authentic self. Medical affirmation encompasses the forms of affirmation that require medical intervention or assistance from healthcare providers. These may include taking hormones like estrogen, testosterone, or progesterone. It may also include surgical procedures, such as chest surgery, genital surgery, facial surgeries, or other gender-affirming surgeries. Medical affirmation is a crucial aspect of gender transition for many transgender individuals, as it can help alleviate dysphoria and bring the body into alignment with one's gender identity. Legal affirmation pertains to the affirmation of an individual's gender in legal and legislative systems. It involves various actions such as updating one's name or gender marker in identification documents, asserting one's rights in different settings, and being recognized and affirmed when interacting with institutions such as educational. This form of affirmation is crucial for transgender individuals to gain access to their rights and to be recognized as their authentic selves in legal and bureaucratic contexts.

TERMS TO KNOW

Comprehensive sex education is inclusive and affirming. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, it adheres to standards of medical accuracy, is evidence-based practices, and is age-appropriate.

It emphasizes the human rights values of all individuals, including gender equality, gender identity, and sexual diversity, as well as variations in sexual development.

It encourages the consideration of long-acting reversible contraception methods like implants and intrauterine devices for all eligible candidates, and provides information on barrier protection to prevent sexually transmitted infections.

It includes education on consent and decision-making, healthy relationships, and intimate partner violence. Teaching methods are participatory and culturally sensitive, accommodating different subpopulations, including adolescents with disabilities and sexual minorities.

It addresses state-specific consequences of sexual activity during adolescence, including online and social media activity, and discusses the benefits and pitfalls of accessing sexuality information online.

SOCIAL WORKERS AND DISABILITY JUSTICE

Being disabled may affect how folks show up in a space. Fostering disability allyship will help social workers respond with grace to these situations in ways that strengthen their relationship with your service user(s), and honor their humanity and value.

It is undeniable that social workers will be engaging with individuals with disabilities if they have not done so already. In 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projected that one-quarter of the American population has a disability, although this figure is likely an underrepresentation. If our society continues to approach COVID-19 with the same attitude of denial, this statistic is expected to rise dramatically. The latest statistics from the CDC indicate that one in five people who contract COVID-19 will develop long-term COVID-19. Given these statistics, it is impossible to avoid spaces without disabled folks.

Social workers should demonstrate a keen awareness of the access needs of individuals with disabilities. Such individuals may require specific accommodations to fully participate and engage in activities or services. By recognizing and respecting these access needs, social workers can establish a stronger relationship with service users that prioritizes dignity and respect. Examples of access needs may include the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by those in proximity, provision of materials prior to a discussion, virtual meeting arrangements, or the option to recline. Get in the habit of asking folks if they have any access needs!

SOCIAL WORKERS AND DISABILITY JUSTICE

Incorporating disability justice into social work practice will make you a better social worker for those who are disabled. You may be able to connect disabled folks to resources they have never been offered before. You may be more prepared for the assessment phase. You will be more aware of some of the trauma and stigma clients may have faced. Supporting disabled folks in identifying power and possibility at these intersections creates an environment of trust and respect.

Being aware of and educated on disability and disability justice will help you be aware of when you are perpetuating certain biases. Disability Justice is also about wholeness — all have value outside of the ability to perform work, all have histories and identities. The Just Practice model from Janet L. Finn’s Just Practice: A Social Justice Approach to Social Work (fourth edition) used in Silberman’s Practice Lab courses recognizes possibility and power in the stories service users tell. Acknowledging wholeness leads to great possibilities.

Disability justice, particularly for social workers and its intersection with sexuality, looks like acknowledging that individuals with disabilities are sexual beings and creating a safe space to discuss sex and sexuality. It involves connecting them to appropriate resources such as medication, medical equipment for sexual functioning, sexual health supplies, STI testing, and sex toys, while also connecting them to sexual health information and education on sexual and reproductive rights. Connecting individuals with disabilities to disabled communities and helping them form community is crucial for a supportive environment.

SOCIAL WORKERS AND DISABILITY JUSTICE

Disability justice involves organizing for the sexual rights of disabled individuals, ensuring leadership of those most impacted, and centering the knowledge and experiences of individuals with disabilities in determining interventions. Intersectionality is key, focusing on centering those at the intersections of multiple marginalized identities, especially BIPOC folks. Disability justice also means allowing individuals with disabilities to take things slow to ensure sustainability, a key pillar of disability justice. Lastly, individuals should continue to educate themselves and others on disability justice and its intersections with sexuality.

Social justice must include disability. As social workers, we must be engaged in and care about social justice work. Ableism is a product of white supremacy. Social workers must fight white supremacy in their practice, the larger profession, and personal lives. Dismantling oppression requires everyone’s liberation. Able-bodied social workers have the power to uplift disabled folks’ voices and needs.

Special thanks to Rae Kurland for their contribution to this section.

Thank you to those who submitted their work to the zine and to those who read it.

We hope our zine has provided a brave space for disabled folks to discuss their identities and challenge and resist the ableist and heteronormative narratives that often surround them. By centering the voices of disabled folks, we are constantly working towards a more inclusive society that honors the sexual agency and autonomy of all individuals, regardless of ability. We hope this zine has served as a catalyst for continued conversations and advocacy toward a future in which disability justice and sexual liberation are intertwined and celebrated.

Incorporating disability justice in social work practice is crucial. As social workers, we are responsible for advocating for and supporting individuals with disabilities in all aspects of their lives, including their sexuality. Disability justice requires us to uplift the experiences and needs of disabled folks and recognize the intersections of disability with other marginalized identities. By challenging ableism and working towards creating more inclusive and accessible spaces, we can foster a world where disabled individuals can live and love with dignity and respect. We hope this zine has provided some insight, inspiration, and practical tools for incorporating disability justice into social work practice and beyond. Remember, the work toward liberation is ongoing and requires ongoing learning, unlearning, and growth.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Silberman Center for Sexuality and Gender supports groundbreaking research in sexuality and gender, facilitates events and trainings to enhance learning for social workers and other service providers, advocates for sexual and gender equity, and engages with local (New York City), national, and international communities to increase understanding and exploration of sexuality and gender.

HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Silberman Center for Sexuality and Gender was founded in 2017 at the Silberman School of Social Work, Hunter College in New York City. At that time, it was the only scholarly center in the country to focus on sexuality and gender housed within a school of social work, and is still one of only two. SCSG is designed to increase the number of sex-positive, gender-affirming social work practitioners, researchers, and educators.

Building on the notion that sexuality and gender are central to an individual’s overall well-being, classes, events, and research at the Silberman Center for Sexuality and Gender helps students and practitioners learn how to become comfortable discussing sexuality and gender, how to create a sex-positive and genderaffirming environment for any and all clients, and how to work to create change that leads to more inclusive and informed policy and practice.

WITH LOVE AND SOLIDARITY, THE SCSG TEAM

Founding Director

SJ Dodd (she/they)

Associate Director

Jama Shelton (they/them)

Community Organizing Interns

Paige Hartsell (she/her)

Anita Kwok (she/her) - Project Manager

Laurel Reiter (they/she)

Crystal Rosete (she/her/Crystal)