Post by gem on Jan 12, 2003 12:18:32 GMT -5
Rainbow Ripples is a new group of lesbian, gay and bisexual disabled people.
So why Rainbow Ripples?
A Rainbow is an internationally known symbol for freedom for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual people.
"Ripple" is man's dangly bitsney-rhyming slang for "Cripple". Disabled people who are proud of their identity have reclaimed the word "Ripple" in the same way that some lesbian and gay people have reclaimed
"Gay", "Dyke" and "Queer".
A group member said: "We aim to educate service providers in Leeds to develop appropriate services for disabled people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual. We will campaign for the issues that are important to us."
Another member said: " We want to be part of an LGB network in Leeds to raise the profile of LGB disabled people as we feel quite strongly that our issues are rarely addressed within the LGB community"
We work using the Social Model of Disability, which was developed by disabled people. This means that we are not disabled by our bodies or minds but because society disables us. Society creates barriers such as negative attitudes and inaccessible buildings, information and transport.
Leeds Involvement project, which supports the group, has just been granted funding from Comic Relief for the "Disabled people and Diversity Project" which includes a part-time worker to work on issues for LGB disabled people, supporting Rainbow Ripples will obviously be a key element of this.
For more details contact Lucy Wilkinson at Leeds Involvement Project on 0113 307 3280, fax: 0113 307 2381, Minicom 0113 307 2382, e-mail leedsinv@netscapeonline.co.uk
So why Rainbow Ripples?
A Rainbow is an internationally known symbol for freedom for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual people.
"Ripple" is man's dangly bitsney-rhyming slang for "Cripple". Disabled people who are proud of their identity have reclaimed the word "Ripple" in the same way that some lesbian and gay people have reclaimed
"Gay", "Dyke" and "Queer".
A group member said: "We aim to educate service providers in Leeds to develop appropriate services for disabled people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual. We will campaign for the issues that are important to us."
Another member said: " We want to be part of an LGB network in Leeds to raise the profile of LGB disabled people as we feel quite strongly that our issues are rarely addressed within the LGB community"
We work using the Social Model of Disability, which was developed by disabled people. This means that we are not disabled by our bodies or minds but because society disables us. Society creates barriers such as negative attitudes and inaccessible buildings, information and transport.
Leeds Involvement project, which supports the group, has just been granted funding from Comic Relief for the "Disabled people and Diversity Project" which includes a part-time worker to work on issues for LGB disabled people, supporting Rainbow Ripples will obviously be a key element of this.
For more details contact Lucy Wilkinson at Leeds Involvement Project on 0113 307 3280, fax: 0113 307 2381, Minicom 0113 307 2382, e-mail leedsinv@netscapeonline.co.uk