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LGBTQIA + Resources

1. LGBTQIA+ Digital Collection

1.1. New Mobility Articles

New Mobility often features LGBTQIA people in its articles, but these stories directly deal with queer themes: 

Painting with Pride, http://www.newmobility.com/2021/06/painting-with-pride/    

David Wudel, a young gay man with cerebral palsy, worked out his feelings about coming out as both disabled and queer by taking up painting.

Black Lives Matter: Finding and Reclaiming Who I Am,https://www.newmobility.com/2020/08/black-lives-matter/  —

Kris McElroy writes about what it’s like to be a biracial transgendered man in America.

Here Comes the Bride … and Bride, https://newmobility.com/2013/02/here-comes-the-bride-and-bride/ — Five lesbian couples in which at least one partner has a disability discuss their relationships and the intersection between queer and disabled. 

A Tale of Two Closets, https://newmobility.com/2010/11/tale-of-two-closets/ — Douglas Lathrop writes about coming out as a gay, disabled man. 


1.2. Rooted in Rights

Rooted In Rights is a cross-disability site that tells authentic, accessible stories to challenge stigma and redefine narratives around disability, mental health and chronic illness. Here are some of its articles dealing directly with disability and LGBTQIA themes:

How LGBTQ+ Disabled People Are Celebrating Virtual Pride, https://rootedinrights.org/how-lgbtq-disabled-people-are-celebrating-virtual-pride/ — Alaina Leary writes about celebrating pride in the time of COVID.

Celebrating My LGBTQ+ Pride Helped Me Find Disability Pride, https://rootedinrights.org/celebrating-my-lgbtq-pride-helped-me-find-disability-pride/ — Alaina Leary writes about the intersection of queer and disabled. 

Inclusion of Disabled People in the LGBTQ+ Community is About More Than Accessibility, https://rootedinrights.org/inclusion-of-disabled-people-in-the-lgbtq-community-is-about-more-than-accessibility/— Yolanda Vargas writes about how disabled, queer people are sometimes tokenized in queer spaces. 

How Can I Feel Proud When LGBTQIA+ Pride Events Exclude Me?, https://rootedinrights.org/how-can-i-feel-proud-when-lgbtqia-pride-events-exclude-me/ — Katie Tastrom writes about how queer spaces often aren’t accessible and local queer communities sometimes don’t seem to notice the absence of disabled, queer people.

If Your LGBTQIA+ Pride Event Isn’t Accessible to Disabled People, You’re Missing Out.,https://rootedinrights.org/if-your-lgbtqia-pride-event-isnt-accessible-to-disabled-people-youre-missing-out/ — Alaina Leary writes about how pride events are too often inaccessible to disabled people.


1.3. Annie Elainey: Queer and Disabled Series

Annie Elainey is an American YouTuber, artist, and activist for LGBT and disability rights. Segarra, who is queer, Latinx, and disabled, advocates for accessibility, body positivity, and media representation of marginalized communities. Her 6 part series, "Queer and Disabled" on Youtube bring together, 'Four friends from the US, Canada, and Australia to discuss the intersections of their experiences identifying as queer and disabled.'

Annie Elainey additionally has an extensive YouTube Playlist called "Queerness and Gender" that covers, 'everything from sexuality/romance, dating, LGBTQ+ visibility, deconstructing gender, and discussions of gender equality.'

2. LGBTQIA+ Organizations

2.1. Respect Ability

About Respect Ability:

"RespectAbility is a diverse, disability-led nonprofit that works to create systemic change in how society views and values people with disabilities, and that advances policies and practices that empower people with disabilities to have a better future. Our mission is to fight stigmas and advance opportunities so people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of community."

LGBTQ+ People with Disabilities

  • "The LGBTQ+ community and the disability community intersect in significant ways." From the link above, you can find articles, books, and other resources on the intersection of Disability and LGBTQ+ issues from Respect Ability's website.

 

 

2.2. Sins Invalid

Sins Invalid

"Sins Invalid is a disability justice based performance project that incubates and celebrates artists with disabilities, centralizing artists of color and LGBTQ / gender-variant artists as communities who have been historically marginalized. Led by disabled people of color, Sins Invalid's performance work explores the themes of sexuality, embodiment and the disabled body, developing provocative work where paradigms of "normal" and "sexy" are challenged, offering instead a vision of beauty and sexuality inclusive of all bodies and communities."

2.3. International Organizations

Parapride

  • UK based charity "working with social venues, public spaces and online platforms to create inclusive events and social opportunities that cater specifically to the needs of all those living with disabilities, mental health and chronic health conditions and impairments."

Disabled, Queer, and Hear

  • UK based organization that "aims is to break down barriers and increase awareness, inclusion, diversity and accessibility. At their events they always have a BSL interpreter and use accessible venues."

3. Finding LGBTQIA+ Supportive Healthcare

3.1. Model Systems Hospitals that are Healthcare Equity Index Leaders

Model Systems Hospitals* that are Healthcare Equity Index Leaders†

*What is a Model Systems Hospital?

“Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Model System, sponsored by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, supports innovative projects and research in the delivery, demonstration, and evaluation of medical, rehabilitation, vocational and other services to meet the needs of individuals with SCI. 

NIDILRR awards SCI Model Systems Center grants to institutions that are national leaders in medical research and patient care and provide the highest level of comprehensive specialty services, from the point of injury through rehabilitation and re-entry into full community life. 

Each SCI Model Systems Center contributes to the SCI Model Systems Data Center, participates in independent and collaborative research, and provides information and resources to individuals with SCI, their family and care givers, health care professionals and the general public” (MSKTC).

†What is the Healthcare Equity Index?

“In its 13th year, the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) is the national LGBTQ benchmarking tool that evaluates healthcare facilities' policies and practices related to the equity and inclusion of their LGBTQ patients, visitors and employees. The HEI 2020 evaluates more than 1,700 healthcare facilities nationwide. Every year, we recognize the health care facilities that participate in the HEI for their dedication and commitment to LGBTQ inclusion” (HRC).

Related Resources

3.2. The Healthcare Equity Index

What is the Healthcare Equity Index?

“In its 13th year, the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) is the national LGBTQ benchmarking tool that evaluates healthcare facilities' policies and practices related to the equity and inclusion of their LGBTQ patients, visitors and employees. The HEI 2020 evaluates more than 1,700 healthcare facilities nationwide. Every year, we recognize the health care facilities that participate in the HEI for their dedication and commitment to LGBTQ inclusion” (HRC).

3.3. FOLX Health

  • FOLX Health puts gender affirming care as the central aspect of their healthcare practice. They provide virtual healthcare services in 33 states and are currently working on availability in all 50 states. Check out their website to learn more about their practice model and see if one of their providers is right for you.

4. Self Advocacy In Healthcare

4.1. Organizations

National Coalition for LGBTQ Health

  • "The Coalition is committed to improving the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals through federal and local advocacy, education, and research. The Coalition strives to address the entire LGBTQ+ community, including individuals of every sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, and age regardless of disability, income, education, and geography. The Coalition is an initiative of HealthHIV, a national nonprofit focused on health equity."
  • Access the National Coalition for LGBTQ Health's Advocacy resources here.
  • Share education and training opportunities with healthcare providers here.

GLMA - Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality

  • "GLMA is a national organization committed to ensuring health equity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and all sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals, and equality for LGBTQ/SGM health professionals in their work and learning environments.  To achieve this mission, GLMA utilizes the scientific expertise of its diverse multidisciplinary membership to inform and drive advocacy, education, and research."
  • Access GLMA's advocacy page here and see what action you can take to promote health equity for LGBTQIA+ individuals.

The Fenway Institute

  • "Our key commitment is to address the specific health needs of sexual and gender minorities (SGM) and people affected by HIV. To that end, we engage and foster collaborations with diverse community and professional stakeholders; conduct and disseminate research; design and deliver education, training, and technical assistance; develop and promote empirically-supported public policies; and work to cultivate and nurture a multidisciplinary and diverse community of faculty and staff."
  • Review The Fenway Institute's advocacy projects, missions and goals here, and see how you can advocate for improved LGBTQIA+ healthcare

The National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging

  • "The National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging is the country's first and only technical assistance resource center focused on improving the quality of services and supports offered to lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender older adults, their families and caregivers."
  • Review The National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging's advocacy tools for older adults here.

 

4.2. Articles and Education on Self Advocacy in Healthcare

5. Sexuality and Dating

5.1. Sexuality and Dating Resources

SexualDiversity.org

  • A website dedicated to promoting gender and sexual identity development, educational resources, and advocacy for sexual and gender diversity.
  • They have a page dedicated to resources and articles about disability and sexuality, and focus on debunking the myths surrounding sexuality and disability. 

5.2. LGBTQIA+ Disabled Sexuality and Relationship Stories

We're Here, We're Queer and We're Sexy

Three Common Dating Fears at the Intersection of Sexuality and Disability

  • Andrew Morrison-Gurza, founder of Deliciously Disabled Consulting shares three common fears that individuals may experience when dating as a disabled individual. The three concerns are body image, help and personal care, and touch. The article can be found here.

Call Me Taylor: Transgender and SCI

  • Taylor Straw shares her story and experience of living more openly and confidently as someone that is transgender with an SCI, and how she worked to live as her true self.

This is What Dating Is Like When You're LGBT and Disabled

5.3. United Spinal Sexuality and SCI/D Resources

Link here to United Spinal's general resources on sexuality with a SCI/D