Pride, disability, and the Rainbow community

Emma Lubberink, National Marketing, Communications & Fundraising Coordinator

With 1 in 4 Kiwis being disabled, and 1 in 20 NZers identifying as LGBTQIA+, there is bound to be some overlap. Allow me to introduce you to intersectionality: “The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage,” according to the Oxford English Dictionary. Picture a Venn diagram with disability in one circle and queerness in the other – while both groups share similar experiences, being in the middle comes with a unique set of challenges. I spoke to members of the community to find out more about what this means and what we need to know to be an ally.

Shocker: Disabled people can be gay!

Not everyone seems to be aware that disabled adults can be in healthy relationships, let alone same-sex ones. Disabled people are no stranger to infantilisation, a form of ableism where they are patronised or talked to as if they are children despite being capable adults. In a society where people are surprised to see a wheelchair user at a rock concert, discussing ‘taboo’ subjects like intimacy and sexuality may seem entirely off the charts.

So if that’s you, newsflash: queer disabled people exist! Despite persistent assumptions of being wrapped in cotton wool, disabled people can live ordinary lives and share many of the same experiences as everyone else – including having different gender identities and sexualities. In fact, there’s a lot of overlap between the disability and Rainbow communities. A 2021 Stats NZ survey reports that the LGBTQIA+ population had a higher proportion of disabled people than the non-LGBTQIA+ population, and an international study found autistic people are more likely to also be transgender or gender diverse (you can read more about that here). The stats are clear; we’re here, and we’re queer!

We have the same human rights as you

The Rainbow community and disabled people both face discrimination, stigmatisation, and abuse. In late 2020, 40 percent of disabled people said they had experienced discrimination in the previous 12 months (Stats NZ), an increase from that year’s June quarter – and almost double what non-disabled people reported. In 2021, the Ministry of Justice reported members of the LGBTQIA+ community experience higher rates of crime and violence. Of course, this leads to poorer mental health in queer disabled people; people in the LGBT+ population were over two times more likely to have daily feelings of anxiety compared to the non-LGBT+ population, and nearly 3 times more likely to experience daily feelings of depression (Stats NZ). Tackling these issues is essential to the wellbeing of disabled queer people, who have the right to feel safe and respected in society just like everyone else.

“It's difficult being a trans woman with a disability and being a trans activist,” comments Allyson Hamblett, CCS Disability Action LAC co-chair. “The trans community has been trying to get the Human Rights Act amended to include gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics. It's ridiculous that the act hasn't been updated since 1996. It would help accept and normalise trans and intersex people if we were included.” Apart from changing the law, there’s one easy thing you can do: have conversations! “I think everyone is trying to understand trans people without talking to trans people.”

We need more accessible Rainbow spaces

It’s important that everyone has access to places where they can safely be their authentic selves and mingle with fellow members of the community. This is why third spaces are key for people in the Rainbow community. Of course, if they are also disabled, they may have additional access needs. These could be physical, like wheelchair ramps for getting into buildings, or sensory. And the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted another challenge – disabled people are more likely to be vulnerable to the virus. All of a sudden there was an additional barrier to participating in their community.

Online meetups can negate these aspects. But now that Covid-19 is effectively normalised in our society, these have significantly dwindled. Common events now are evening meetups – a quick Google search shows an upcoming speed dating night, social night, and various gigs.

“I’ve often struggled to feel a connection to much of the wider LGBTQIA+ community, as many community events centre around those sorts of nightlife activities and since I struggle with a lot of sensory issues I find it hard to want to attend or be present myself,” says Moth, who is autistic and LGBTQIA+. Extending activities to other times of day and prioritising safety measures can help create a more accessible environment.

I also asked our online community about this topic. One follower, A, pointed out the inaccessibility of Pride festivals – not everyone can march in a parade, and while Wellington Pride had a bus this year, it only fit two wheelchairs! This seems like such an obvious flaw and really highlights why raising awareness is vital. There have been some great online initiatives like Pride Our Way, and we would love to see something like this more locally.

So, there you have it – three things disabled people in the Rainbow community want you to know. I hope this has been an informative read and would love to hear your perspectives, whether you relate, or your accessible event recommendations. You can find us on social media to stay connected (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), and while you’re here, why not check out our other blogs?