Intersectionality and Disability

Intersectionality: overlapping, interdependent identities (may lead to more complex prejudice)

Bigotry may stem from ignorance.

Disability has historically been a common rationale for curtailing one’s civil rights.

Women’s suffrage movement: studies came out that women’s increased political involvement and intellectual pursuits could result in “nervous hysteria” that leads to infertility

Black Civil Rights movement: African Americans’ brain anatomy made them unable to get an education and wanting freedom was termed a medical disease

Many versions of immigration law prohibit immigration of people with disabilities on some form.

5 lessons:

Know when not to lead

Have courage even in uncomfortable situations

Examine your relationships

Learn the history of oppression

Be authentic!

The disability community has its own prejudices.

Activism tends to be singularly focused

The oppression faced by someone at the intersection of two identities is unique from that faced by members of either of those identities

• LGBT-inclusive and fully accessible services are hardest to access in rural areas.

• LGBTQ youth with disabilities are more likely to be bullied or excluded than LGBTQ non-disabled youth

• Added barriers to employment with ableist, racist, and anti-LGBTQ discrimination

• LGBTQ people are Overrepresented in the juvenile and criminal justice systems. 

• Invisibility within both communities since resources for LGBTQ are rare in the disability community and vice versa.

• LGBTQ people are more likely to experience mental health conditions that can impact daily life. 

• More laws are needed to protect LGBTQ people

• Spaces need to be developed to be more LGBTQ inclusive

• Research and education is needed to develop the general understanding of LGBTQ individuals