Disability Pride Month is a powerful time to celebrate the achievements and significant contributions of the disabled LGBTQIA+ community. The month honours the community and those who have dismantled barriers and created more inclusive spaces, highlighting that disability rights are an essential part of the broader fight for equality.
Without disability rights and LGBTQIA+ rights, there is no equality. We want to honour and shine a light on the intersection of disability and LGBTQIA+ identities, giving voice to stories that have often been overlooked.
Celebrating all communities and amplifying diverse voices is crucial to the work we do at the Association. It ensures everyone is heard and valued, fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect.
In this article, we shine a spotlight on five remarkable LGBTQIA+ disabled individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities and beyond. Their stories of courage, activism and determination inspire us to continue advocating for a more inclusive and equitable world. This Disability Pride Month, we are celebrating the invaluable impact they have had in advancing both disability and LGBTQIA+ rights.
Andrew Gurza is a Disability Awareness Consultant and co-founder of Bump’n, an adult product company “for and by disabled people”. They lead discussions on sexuality for disabled LGBTQIA+ individuals, and host the podcast Disability After Dark. Andrew’s work has been featured in documentaries and media outlets worldwide, and they’re the creator of the viral hashtag #DisabledPeopleAreHot.
Lady Francesca shines as part of Drag Syndrome, a group redefining perceptions with their dazzling performances by individuals with Down’s Syndrome. From Pride to RuPaul’s DragCon, they amplify Disability Pride worldwide. Recently, Lady Francesca graced the cover of fashion mag Dsection, a testament to their impact on the industry.
Aaron Rose Philip is a model and is a proud queer trans woman, born with cerebral palsy. She is a fashion icon breaking barriers in the industry! From couture runways to major brands, she’s using her platform to amplify LGBTQIA+ voices, advocate for disability inclusion, and level the playing field in fashion.
Chella Man is a versatile artist, model and activist, identifying as deaf, transmasculine, genderqueer, Jewish and Chinese. They are a vocal advocate on disability, race, gender and queerness. Their book Continuum documents their journey of cultivating self-acceptance and acting as one’s own representation.
Lydia X Z Brown is a disabled, queer and nonbinary Chinese-American. They’re a fierce advocate for disability and LGBTQIA+ rights, combating tech bias at the Center for Democracy and Technology, teaching at Georgetown University, and leading the Autistic Women and Non-binary Network. They are also recognised as being as a Champion of Change.
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