The Historical Desexualising of Disabled People

Category: Sex and Relationships

The Historical Desexualising of Disabled People

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The Historical Desexualising of Disabled People

Disabled and Sexual is a new monthly(-ish) column by Hannah Shewan Stevens which will explore all the challenges, comedy, and fun that disabled people experience as sexual beings, even while we are desexualised by a predominantly non-disabled society.

One of the most pervasive myths about disabled people is that we’re either incapable of or disinterested in sex. As a result, society desexualises us because people genuinely believe that no one could possibly find a disabled person sexy. Well, I’m here to tell you that they’re very wrong.

Stop desexualising disabled people like the Victoria’s Secret model with Down’s syndrome

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Stop desexualising disabled people like the Victoria’s Secret model with Down’s syndrome

Last week, Sofía Jirau made history as the first model with Down’s syndrome to pose for Victoria’s Secret. The images are stunning, yet the shoot’s launch set off ableists everywhere.

Critics have denounced her history-making achievement as objectifying, arguing that it is wrong to sexualise a person with Down’s syndrome. While vast swathes of the internet are embracing a significant milestone in disabled representation, others are alleging concern for her welfare.

We open and close our relationship based on feelings

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We open and close our relationship based on feelings

“I should tell you, I’m not great with monogamy, so I only do open relationships now,” read the WhatsApp message. Frozen in my once tranquil place on the sofa, I flicked away the notification as if its disappearance could erase the message’s existence. “What on earth does that mean?” I thought.

Why I chose to have an abortion abroad

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Why I chose to have an abortion abroad

“Your boobs are huge,” my partner quipped from the hotel bed as I wiggled into my swimming costume.

I laughed it off and jiggled them in his face before taking one last swim on our holiday in the Dominican Republic, trying to quiet that voice in the back of my head, whispering, “What if you are pregnant?”

I was a ‘sex addict’ – now I’m healing from the damage my hypersexuality caused

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I was a ‘sex addict’ – now I’m healing from the damage my hypersexuality caused

“Have you always been such a slut?” says my friend. “Yup,” I reply with a grin.

In my life, some people called me a sex addict and some – like my friend – have called me a slut. But years after this particular friend queried my supposed promiscuity, a therapist offered up a different descriptor: hypersexual.

Contact

Email: hannahshewanstevens@gmail.com

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