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Post by Keith on Feb 15, 2003 22:37:32 GMT -5
Discrimination
I am a 38 year old, BiWM, with a physical disability. The general public either perceives me to be non-sexual, because of my rather obvious physical disability or they assume that I’m heterosexual. All of my life, I’ve dealt with the discrimination that people with disabilities must contend. I have also been deeply offended by people that have made prejudiced remarks about Gays and Lesbians.
Discrimination is always wrong and I don’t want to start a debate about, which group faces the greatest level of discrimination. However, as a person that is GLBT and has a disability, I would like to know your answer to the following question. Do you feel as though you have experienced more discrimination as a person with a disability or as a homosexual?
Keith
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Post by Funky-Fran on Feb 16, 2003 17:15:51 GMT -5
hummm that is actually a really good question. I would say disabilty, because i have a visable disability which can not be hiden (you can try, lol), where as you can easily hide your sexuality if you wanted to. But i know where you are coming from when you say everyone expects you're straight, i dont think it is totally because you're disabled, cos i think we all/most of us just assume people aRE straight because we dont want to assume anything else incase it's wrong and people get offended. Do i make sense?  |
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Post by Fraggle on Feb 16, 2003 21:53:10 GMT -5
I'm not sure as 1. I'm a closet case ;D and 2. I haven't been out and about for soooo long.
But I think the discrimination is different. For being disabled the discrimination I think is more pity and the thought that you can't do anything, while the discrimination for being gay/tg etc is more to do with hate.
So I think it depends on where you are, who you're with and which you take more personally.
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Post by Funky-Fran on Feb 17, 2003 9:36:56 GMT -5
Yeah i think that is very true cass, ppl feel sorry 4 ppl with disabilities rather than hatred
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Post by PurplySparkleyJoey on Apr 8, 2003 18:20:46 GMT -5
this is an intresting question!! Speaking from a person who became disabled later i would have to say i have had more peoblems with my sexuality. When i was at work i was comming out . i was already out at college and at home but i wasnt to sure about work. I had told a few people when one of the kitchen assistents asked if it was true .. he said 'i mean, if you are i would have to kill you, you know that?' I freaked out totally and told him no .. that week i was called in to the office and told that i should be liying about things and my manage had a massave go at me! I couldnt believe it .. i was so shocked that she would be so mad about it all. We had one lesbian couple on staff & the 2nd manager was a dyke to. I should have left there and then but i didnt and the problems went on. It was horrid. Now i face more problems with my disability cos people dont believe i can be gay and disabled  Thats why i started the site .. thought it would be good to have a place to deal with BOTH issues rather than one or the other  Hope your all well xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
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Post by gem on May 8, 2003 18:43:29 GMT -5
Hi Keith, cool topic!
Firstly, sorry for such a crap moderator...but my computer is pants, and i've been on a different planet lately (but thats another story).
This is a really interesting debate and one close to my heart, i can relate to both jo and fran's comments.
I have both visable and invisable disabilities, but the visable makes me relate to what Fran was saying. Yes, you can hide being a dyke / queer (although butch lesbians frawn upon that)... but at my work (which is dead p.c) being disabled is fine, but being gay has problems in a really subtle way... so in that sense I can relate to Jo as well!!!!!
Overall, for me personally being disabled is more of a problem because i dont obviously look lesbian and sometimes you just think, truck off and stop staring, or talking at me like i'm thick, or to my friend.
it's ironic, but i can deal with sexist disabled men better than patronising right on (NOT) femminist dykes! At least sexist hetro disabled men hear what your saying and you can have a damm row with 'em. Some disablist dykes just smile and "yes dear" and dont even acknowledge what you've said.
Gem xx
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