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’s also difficult to find people, organizations and service
providers who understand all of the 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.
How do I know if I’m lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered? I never
see people with disabilities in information about LGBT issues.
Being lesbian or gay means that someone is emotionally and physically attracted
to people of the same gender. Being bisexual means being attracted to someone
regardless of gender. A transgendered person is someone whose gender identity
(a person’s sense of being a man, woman, neither or both) doesn’t match with
their sex at birth.
If you’re questioning your sexuality, you might find it helpful to read about
or talk to people who are LGBT to see if you can relate to their feelings. The
lack of positive LGBT role models with a disability can be isolating, but you
aren’t alone.
How do I meet other gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered people
with disabilities?
The most direct way is to contact a local social group for LGBT people. You
can also try contacting local support services for people with disabilities
to find out if they have social groups for LGBT people. If there are no LGBT
groups in your community, you may want to check out an Internet-based group.
- For women, one example is the GimpGirl Community.
- For men, one example is Bent Voices.
How can I find a boyfriend or girlfriend?
Focusing on making new friends is a good first step. Don’t put pressure on
yourself or another person to start a romantic or sexual relationship too soon.
One good way to meet people with interests like yours is to get involved in
activities that you enjoy. If your city has an LGBT directory or newspaper,
there may be a listing of LGBT social groups that you can think about joining,
or you can look for LGBT social group lists online.
Where can I find sexual health information?
For information on how to reduce the risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted
infections (STIs), get in touch with a Canadian Federation for
Sexual Health Member Organization or HIV/AIDS organization. You can also
contact foundations and organizations that provide information about a specific
illness or disability for resources that focus on sexuality issues.
Are there any LGBT resources for specific disabilities?
You can contact a local LGBT organization to see if they know of any resources
in your community, or you can contact a local disability organization for information
about LGBT resources for people with a specific disability. There may also be
information available online.
My caregivers are really homophobic. What are my rights as a LGBT person
with a disability?
People in Canada
are protected from discrimination based on sexual orientation by the Canadian
Charter of Rights and Freedoms and by provincial human rights codes. This means
that any service you use must offer you the same kinds of services and supports
that a heterosexual person would receive. This includes:
- support in developing a social network
- receiving appropriate sexuality education
- respect and support for your relationships.
If your caregivers do not respect these rights and refuse to change their practices,
you can:
- contact an organization that advocates for people with disabilities
to get help in demanding fair and equitable services (such as your local independent
living centre)
- make a complaint with either the Canadian Human Rights Commission
or your provincial human rights commission.
For more information, see the related FAQ for service providers, "What
do I need to know about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people with
disabilities?"
Additional resources
Deaf Queer
Resource Centre
Passing Twice: Queer
Stutterers and their Allies
Sexuality and Disability – Sexual Health and Fertility
After Brain and Spinal Cord Impairment
Sexual health
of women with disabilities – Canadian Medical Association Journal
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