Media Partner #91: Sex and Disability Conference, Wright State University

We are proud to partner with the organizers of “Breaking Silences, Demanding Crip Justice: Sex, Sexuality, and Disability,” a conference taking place November 4-6, 2015 at Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.

Background (from their website):

This conference represents a proud claiming of disability identity as a natural and normal human experience that enhances, rather than diminishes, one’s sexuality.

When asked anonymously about their “real” thoughts on disability, people generally describe disability as something that is abnormal, tragic, and to be pitied. Classified in this way, disability becomes something to treat, cure, or correct.  Furthermore, when curative measures are not possible, disability becomes something to tolerate, prevent, or eliminate.

When people are asked what they know or believe about sexuality and disability, they indicate that people with disabilities are asexual, cannot have sex, or should not have sex. Ableist beliefs such as these perpetuate a culture of silence and sexual oppression for the people with disabilities.

The DVP is especially excited that conference participants will be encouraged to use the StoryCorps app to record stories about sex and disability!!

Website: https://www.wright.edu/event/sex-disability-conference

Program schedule: https://www.wright.edu/sites/default/files/page/attachements/Breaking%20Silences%202015%20Program%20Schedule%20Week.pdf