Using a social construction model of both disability and lesbianism, this paper focuses on the intersection of these two identities in questioning the accessibility of the lesbian community to women who are both lesbian and disabled. Whilst many physical barriers and lack of awareness can contribute to the exclusion of disabled lesbian women from the lesbian community, so also can the unquestioned assumptions by many ablebodied lesbian women that disabled lesbian women are asexual and are somehow 'other', and are 'different' from themselves. Disabled lesbian women may be forced to contend with, and resist, discrimination from both an ablebodied heterosexist society and ablebodied discrimination from within the lesbian community. The challenges of addressing the complex issues of identity commonality, difference, and diversity will be discussed within a feminist perspective.
Using a social construction model of both disability and lesbianism, this paper focuses on the intersection of these two identities in questioning the accessibility of the lesbian community to women who are both lesbian and disabled. Whilst many physical barriers and lack of awareness can contribute to the exclusion of disabled lesbian women from the lesbian community, so also can the unquestioned assumptions by many ablebodied lesbian women that disabled lesbian women are asexual and are somehow 'other', and are 'different' from themselves. Disabled lesbian women may be forced to contend with, and resist, discrimination from both an ablebodied heterosexist society and ablebodied discrimination from within the lesbian community. The challenges of addressing the complex issues of identity commonality, difference, and diversity will be discussed within a feminist perspective.
This research has been instigated and developed collaboratively by a team involving representatives from the Commission for Racial Equality, Disability Rights Commission, Equal Opportunities Commission, Stonewall Scotland, the Scottish Executive and NatCen Scotland. The research is designed to answer three questions: what do Scots themselves believe is the extent of discriminatory attitudes in Scotland?; what is the extent and character of discriminatory attitudes in Scotland; and why do people hold discriminatory attitudes? These questions covered attitudes towards four groups: women, minority ethnic groups, disabled people, and gay men and lesbians.
This research has been instigated and developed collaboratively by a team involving representatives from the Commission for Racial Equality, Disability Rights Commission, Equal Opportunities Commission, Stonewall Scotland, the Scottish Executive and NatCen Scotland. The research is designed to answer three questions: what do Scots themselves believe is the extent of discriminatory attitudes in Scotland?; what is the extent and character of discriminatory attitudes in Scotland; and why do people hold discriminatory attitudes? These questions covered attitudes towards four groups: women, minority ethnic groups, disabled people, and gay men and lesbians.
Looks at the plans to have a single body to replace existing commissions and tackle age, disability, religious and anti-gay discrimination, and the concerns this has raised.
Looks at the plans to have a single body to replace existing commissions and tackle age, disability, religious and anti-gay discrimination, and the concerns this has raised.
Subject terms:
lesbians, organisations, physical disabilities, prevention, religions, religious discrimination, sex discrimination, sexual orientation discrimination, age discrimination, anti-discriminatory practice, disability discrimination, discrimination, gay men;