If we talk about sexuality and disability at all in queer spaces, we typically only discuss the mechanics of the sex act. We are fascinated with how two things that shouldn’t go together - sex and disability- work. That’s where the conversation starts and stops when it comes to sex, disability and queerness, with how. But there is so much more to sexuality, disability and queerness that we have yet to unpack or discuss.
What does sex and disability feel like? Is it different than able-bodied people? Is it better? Is it lonely? Using his personal experiences as a queer, disabled wheelchair-using man who is sexually active, Andrew will help participants get past the rudimentary question of “How do you have sex?” and I will invite you to go deeper into the conversation by daring to ask, “How does sex and disability feel?”
Andrew Gurza’s presentation will give you the opportunity to understand how issues of inaccessibility, ableism, prejudice and access shape the experience of being queer and disabled. We will take a deep dive into the discussion of loneliness, sex and disability. Andrew will use his stories to give the audience the tools to confront their own views around sex, disability and queerness so that as when they leave the session, they’ll understand that they have the opportunity to help a queer disabled person feel part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Presented by Andrew Gurza at Summit 2019: Queering Healthcare Access and Accessibility, in Vancouver October 31 - November 1. For more information visit cbrc.net/summit
Andrew Gurza is a Disability Awareness Consultant and Cripple Content Creator whose written work has been featured on CBC, Daily Xtra, Gay Times UK, Huffington Post, The Advocate, Everyday Feminism, Mashable, Out.com, and several anthologies. He was the subject of an award-winning National Film Board of Canada Documentary “Picture This”. He has guested on a number of podcasts including Dan Savage’s Savage Love and Cameron Esposito’s Queery. He has spoken all over North America on sex, disability and what it means to be a Queer Cripple.
Andrew Gurza is also the host of Disability AfterDark: The Podcast Shining a Bright Light on Sex and Disability, which is available on all platforms and was nominated for a Canadian Podcast Award in 2019. Andrew is also the creator of the viral hashtag #DisabledPeopleAreHot. You can find out more about Andrew by going to andrewgurza.com connecting with him on Twitter and Instagram @theandrewgurza.
