LGBTQ Cultures by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-06-19T16:00:00+00:00

Ability/Disability Status

“People ask me which I am: Woman, disabled, Asian. I tell them I am all three, it’s like a triangle. It just depends on what is on top right now.” (Cupolo, Corbett, & Lewis, 1982, p. 3)

There is very little research on disability and LGBTQ people, for both disability and sexuality are taboo topics. In fact, the Institute of Medicine (2011) report on LGBT health, that reviewed all the literature on health-related issues, has only one sentence about disability: “Disability among LGBT elders is a topic rarely considered in research.” It is rarely considered as a topic at any age, although the inclusion of sexual orientation questions on the big health surveillance instruments is beginning to change that.

Like any other persons, LGBTQ people might be born with disabilities or acquire them at any point in life. Some of the recent data suggest that among LGBTQ adults, minority stress might combine with chronic health problems to create greater risk for disability and debilitation (Cochran & Mays, 2007; Fredriksen-Goldsen, Kim, Barkan, Muraco, & Hoy-Ellis, 2013; Fredriksen-Goldsen, Kim, & Barkan, 2012; Garland-Forshee, Fiala, Ngo, & Moseley, 2014; Wallace, Cochran, Durazo, & Ford, 2011), suggesting that LGBTQ people may be even more likely than people in the general population to become disabled. People with HIV/AIDS may also be more likely to suffer disabilities than those without HIV/AIDS. One study of lesbian/bisexual women with and without disabilities found many similarities in term of educational level, whether partnered, and mental health quality of life, but significant differences on income level and sense of connection to LGBT and women’s communities (Eliason, Martinson, & Carabez, 2015).

O’Toole (2000) noted several issues that disabled lesbians might have to deal with. These issues are probably relevant for other sexual and gender minority individuals as well:

There is a presumption of heterosexuality or asexuality by caregivers, healthcare professionals, and potential dates, making the LGBTQ person invisible.

The invisibility is in both LGBTQ communities and disability communities.

Many able-bodied LGBTQ people place high value on self-reliance and independence, making people with disabilities feel inadequate or excluded.

There is an absence of relevant sexuality education/information for people with disabilities.

There is very high potential for sexual abuse and/or exploitation of people with disabilities who may be more vulnerable because of physical, intellectual, or mental health disabilities.

There is an absence of LGBTQ role models with disabilities.

There are many complicated legal issues (e.g., guardianship, ability to freely choose partners if institutionalized, etc.).

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