Gays and lesbians living with disabilities face unique challenges; not only are they members of a minority group in the world at large, but they also face minority status both within the gay community as well as within communities geared towards people with disabilities. This can be exhausting and often places gays and lesbians with disabilities in the constant position of having to explain themselves, their identities, their challenges and their experiences.
Moving between gay and lesbian communities and activities and those geared for people living with disabilities can be a strange phenomena. Sexual orientation isn't visible to the naked eye, but functional disabilities usually are, so while the gay and lesbian community might recognize you as a person with a disability, you probably won't be recognized as a member of the gay and lesbian community in other settings unless you choose to make this information known. As you probably know, unless you're wearing on a T-shirt, coming out is always an ongoing process, and no matter how comfortable you are with your sexual orientation it can be an exhausting process.
Much has been made about whether gay and lesbian culture is more or less accepting of people with disabilities, and many people report being warned that GLBT culture is not welcoming to gays and lesbians with disabilities. Luckily, this seems to be more of an unrealized fear than an actual truth, Especially as there there are an increasing number of resources and activities for gays and lesbians with disabilities.
June 3, 2008 DSB said:
Racheline, first off thank you not because you’re this or that but pointing out that it really has always been about equality. As a straight man and being disabled more by accident and age then birth or illness you got my one hand clapping.
Civil rights as I know them were not over skin color or whom one may like love or want to spend a life time with it is about all people being equal. It has nothing to do with morals, standards or ethics we only need look and the elected people now and the division they make.
While I may be straight I am there I am older and guess what share a common bond with you as disabled who makes you happy or where or what sex that love lays with is not my business I tend not to peek into personal lives.
Just understand that there are many like me and civil rights may have started in my youth but even in old age I still fight for them for all people and will not let stuff continue to slip past before the last 30 years of social change.
Go figure I am over 50 I say what I want an mean what I say and I have been and will continue to be an advocate.
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