People with disabilities and people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered
(LGBT) are often discriminated against and isolated because of myths and stereotypes.
For LGBT people who also have a physical or developmental disability, it can
be very hard to get the kind of information about LGBT issues and sexual health
that they need. It is also difficult to find individuals, organizations and/or
service providers who understand all of the intersecting issues that they face.
What are some of the myths about people with disabilities?
There are many myths about people with disabilities, including:
- People with disabilities don’t have any sexual needs or feelings
at all.
- People with physical disabilities aren’t capable of having sex.
- People with developmental disabilities can’t understand their
sexual feelings and don’t need sexual health information.
- People with developmental disabilities have a higher sex drive than
people without disabilities and need to be controlled.
- Nobody would be attracted to a person with a disability.
Because of these myths, people with disabilities have a much harder time getting
sexuality education and good sexual health information. Also, people with disabilities
often don’t get support in starting or maintaining intimate relationships.
In some cases, people with disabilities are actively prevented from having intimate
relationships.
When the sexuality of people with disabilities is recognized, people usually
assume that they are heterosexual. Information about people with disabilities
who are LGBT is left out because of discrimination and negative stereotypes.
Accurate information can help break down these negative myths and stereotypes
and help LGBT people with disabilities to express their sexuality in a healthy
way.
Why do disability service providers need to address LGBT issues?
Many disability service organizations feel that their role is to support people
with disabilities to participate fully in their communities. This should include
people with disabilities who are also part of the LGBT community. As well, the
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms prohibits discrimination on the grounds
of sexual orientation. This means that any service offered must be equally available
to clients of all sexual orientations.
What can disability service providers do to be more supportive of
LGBT clients?
- Challenge your own and your co-workers’ assumptions about LGBT
people.
- If you feel that you don’t have enough information to provide
LGBT-sensitive services, contact a local LGBT organization for information and
training. For a list of LGBT organizations, go to http://www.gaycanada.com.
- Don’t assume that clients or colleagues are heterosexual.
- Display gay-positive posters and make information about LGBT organizations
available in your workplace to show clients that you’re open to talking
about these issues.
- When talking about sexuality, make sure the information you provide
is relevant to all sexual orientations.
- Include LGBT services in your resource lists.
- Create an LGBT-inclusive policy for your organization. As an example,
TASH has an online
resolution on sexual orientation.
What can LGBT groups and services do to be more inclusive of people
with disabilities?
LGBT community groups or organizations also need to make an effort to include
people with disabilities. Here are some suggestions:
- Represent disabilities in your educational and promotional materials.
- Advertise your events and services through disability organizations
and newsletters.
- Challenge your own and your co-workers’ assumptions about people
with disabilities.
- Contact local organizations that serve people with disabilities for
advice on how to make events and programs more accessible. To find local organizations,
use the directories at:
For more information, see the related FAQ for health consumers, "What
information is available for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people
with disabilities?"
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