Ableism and LGBTQ

Intersectionality is something that is not always addressed within cultures. It is the aspect of life that is not seen nor heard unless need be. Humans like to put everything into neat little boxes, categorizing everything from the color yellow, to the size of a shoe. Intersectionality complicated the categorization by creating a fuller image of the object which is being categorized. When it comes to the identity of a person, the same is done as with objects, splitting aspects of one life and categorizing them. A person’s sexuality, race, gender, disability statues, etc., are just a few aspects that make them who they are as a person. Some identities take over another within the sphere of social life, raising one aspect over another, such as someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. This boxing off created an LGBTQ identity, as well as a community. This creates a cultural and a communal identity based on this shared attribute which shapes someone’s individual identity related to the collective and communal identities. Understanding the difference between the intersections of gender and sexuality, especially the kinds of differences of the body produced through various abilities discourses and practices. One intersection that can be addressed is the intersection of ability and LGBTQ identity. Along with, how sources structure the understanding of identity over time.

Before one can look at the relationship of people with and without disabilities and LGBTQ identity, both must be explored separately. Within many cultures there has been evidence of what would be called in modern time, same-sex relationships, dating back to ancient societies. Although, “before the scientific construction of ‘sexuality’ as a positive, distinct...

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...ing disease but adding gay life on top of that and the notion of being some sort of karma, Gods will or what have you comes into play. Explicit since homosexuality was just taken from the DSM and may have still been seen as a disorder or disability. .

From the sources that are used within this essay they are all secondary sources. Without first person experice of someone who is LGBTQ and/or a person with disabilities. Nancy J. Hirschmann examines fear felt towards or about disabilities and LGBTQ. Her examination of fear links in well with Jan Zita Groves look back on the AIDS crises of the 1980s and how ableism was a way of expressing the fear of the disease along with LGBTQ identity. The overarching secondary source is David M. Halperin’s examination of ancient societies and how their sexual behaviors can be seen similar to what is known today as homosexuality.