Forms of disability
As well as visible physical disabilities, there are unseen physical disabilities: mental health issues and learning difficulties. A student with a disability could be someone who has dyslexia or depression, or a student who is deaf, or who has severe cerebral palsy. Keep an open mind when considering disability and what it might mean.
Multiple discrimination
One of the main reasons for the existence of both the disabled students and LGBT campaigns is the discrimination and prejudice that both sets of students face on a daily basis. Being LGBT or disabled on its own can make you less likely to find employment, and make it harder for you access essential services, or even order a drink. Indirect discrimination in the form of strange looks, etc. is prevalent throughout our lives.
However, homophobia and disablism are often treated as separate issues. It is forgotten that for LGBT disabled students, both forms of discrimination and prejudice may either combine or be present at the same time: for example if a person in a wheelchair in a bar with their same-sex partner receives curious looks or comments.
LBT women disabled students
LBT women who have a disability face a third form of oppression and discrimination: sexism. In many situations it is not clear whether LBT women who have a disability are facing discrimination because they are female, disabled or LBT, and whether these prejudices are indeed combining to form multiple discrimination. This group of LGBT students is often overlooked.
Disabled students and the scene
Many disabled students find the gay scene inaccessible. There may be physical barriers such as steps to enter the pub/club, inaccessible toilets, or strobe lighting (causing difficulties for people with epilepsy). In addition, although the media portrays an image of the LGBT community as liberal and politically correct, body fascism (the body perfect ideal) is prominent on the scene. Even when LGBT disabled students can access the gay scene, they often choose not to on the basis of the disablism, discrimination and prejudice they encounter in gay venues. This leads to feelings of isolation and increased mental health issues faced by LGBT disabled students.
LGBT service providers and disabled students
LGBT service providers can also exhibit disablism. Disabled people are often seen by society as asexual or incapable of having intimate personal relationships, meaning that sexuality-related and sexual health services do not see why they should be providing services to disabled people.
This is simply not the case. Disabled people have sexual urges, intimate relationships and indeed have sex. But disabled students are often denied the freedom to express their sexuality and passed over by potential partners in favour of someone closer to their idea of the ‘perfect body’.
Common issues
LGBT disabled students face a multitude of issues. Some of these are issues typically faced by LGBT students, such as housing discrimination, coming out, and funding issues. Others are issues faced by disabled students, such as inaccessible buildings, access to information and lack of understanding. However there are some issues that are specific to LGBT disabled students, or can affect them in a different way because they define themselves under both categories.
One issue of particular importance to LGBT disabled students is mental health. It is estimated that one in four people will experience a mental health issue during their lifetime, yet in the LGBT community this has been estimated at one in three. Some think it may be even higher. It is also estimated that up to 50 per cent of trans people commit suicide before completing transition.
Some of the mental health issues within the LGBT community relate directly to issues around sexuality. However it is often the prejudice and discrimination faced by LGBT students that contribute to this high figure. It’s crucial therefore that LGBT societies and student unions are supportive when it comes to LGBT mental health.
Pride
Accepting and embracing who you are and whom you love is a key part of LGBT. Disability pride (the concept that we do not need to be ashamed of being disabled, but can be proud of our disability as part of who we are) is often overlooked. LGBT disabled students sometimes feel that the LGBT community does not accept them because of their disability, and the disabled community does not accept their sexuality. Both communities deny one element of LGBT disabled students identities, which can lead to them feeling ashamed of either their sexuality or disability, or both.
Are your LGBT events accessible?