Education & Justice
underrepresented
for people
in
Sexual Dialogue.
Which groups do we exclude from conversations surrounding sexuality?
How can we include people with disabilities in these conversations?
Why is it important that is available to all?
Questions
to consider:
exclude
include
comprehensive sex education
comprehensive sex education
Firsthand experience of stigma
So what did we do?
We worked with Dr. Shanna Kattari to plan
Sexy Spoonies and Crip Sex: Intersections of Sexuality and Disability
which is a workshop in order to dismantle ableist ideas about sexuality and disability and facilitate open dialogue.
Who is Dr.Kattari?
What was the discussion about?
PhD, MEd, CSE, ACS (she/her/hers)
is an assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Social Work, the Department of Women and Gender Studies (by courtesy), and Director of the Sexuality|Relationships|Gender Research Collective. A queer, White, Jewish, cisgender, disabled, chronically ill Femme, her practice and community background is as a board-certified sexologist, certified sexuality educator, and social justice advocate.
Shanna K.Kattari
In Dr.K's words: "Sexy Spoonies and Crip Sex: Intersections of Sexuality and Disability" is a discussion and lecture-based workshop covering issues around the intersection of disability and sexuality, such as:
1
2
3
How to discuss disability needs around sex (including sex toys, working with PCAs, etc.)
Coming out to/discussing a disabled identity with a partner(s)
New things to try and creative ways to so
5
Use of sex workers and sex surrogates
4
Correct and accurate terminology
6
Negotiating sex play (including kink/BDSM play)
Goals of Project
-
Raise consciousness surrounding common stereotypes about the sexuality of people with disabilities and the historical significance of those stereotypes
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Discuss ways in which people with disabilities can be empowered to take ownership over their own sexualities
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Act as an outlet for students with disabilities or friends/partners of students with disabilities at the university to find helpful information and support regarding sexuality
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Provide a space for uninformed people to ask questions and become informed allies
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Connect the information Dr. K teaches to other concepts, such as ableism, consent, and inclusive language
Goals of Project
Why this Topic?
Dr. Kattari highlighted to us that almost a quarter of adults today identify as having a disability, impairment, or chronic illness, and many others will experience this short term, or as they age. As we see in popular culture today, our society often maintains the belief that people with disabilities are either asexual or hypersexual, both of which are characterized as unhealthy or undesirable. We chose this topic to raise consciousness about these common stereotypes and to discuss ways in which people with disabilities can be empowered to take ownership of their own sexualities.
Why this Topic?
Pictures from the Event
Pictures from the Event
Definitions of sex are completely different and unique to individuals, much like all individuals have their own unique needs (whether living with a disability or not).
We are all responsible for being more open minded and destigmatizing disability.
Often is it not a person that is disabled, but rather society which disables different types of people. Over time, it is society that has removed the space people with disabilities should have in conversations surrounding sexuality.
Main Takeaways
Individually raise awareness about disability and sexuality from learned information
Continue to ponder how society excludes other groups from conversation that would benefit from their input→ find a way to garner and implement input → create another workshop hosted by an informed individual
Next Steps
Be a more informed ally to people with disabilities
Emma Volkert
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Roopa Gorur
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Maya Millete
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Thank You!
Thank You!
from,
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Casey McCarthy
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Isabella Kehoe
Isabel Murray
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