Dear Reader, The theme of this issue is bisexuality and disability. But what, exactly, is disability? As the contributors to this issue beautifully articulate, definitions of disability depend, in many cases, upon others’ reactions, and social definitions of what constitutes “ability.” The contributors to this issue share their experiences with disabilities that are visible and…
Category: 2019 Winter – Bisexuality and Disability
Pap Smears & Paint Parties: A Journey Toward Embracing My Bisexuality
By Sara Krahel This year I finally came out to my best friend as bisexual. But first, I have to tell you about my first pap smear. You see, I have cerebral palsy and my legs often spasm when I get uncomfortable or nervous. I was certainly nervous going into the appointment because I knew…
Bisexuality & Autism
By Martine Mussies (Cyborg Mermaid) One of my best friends is a true activist and his bathroom is full of posters about socialism, environmental issues, and animal rights. On a printed sheet just above his sink, you’ll find a cartoon featuring Bob, the stripey blue triangle who should be proud—“Yay me!” With this brilliant little…
Around the World: Yossra Hamouda, Egypt
And a Few Years Later, I’m Still Meaningfully Alive By Yossra Hamouda A few years ago when I first wrote to you, I was young. I was experiencing, for the first time, the meaning of freedom and self-love. I wrote to you just three months after my own coming out. If you remember, I am…
Bisexuality & Disability: Some Connections
By Robyn Ochs Bisexualities and disabilities are identities that carry negative stigma in the United States (and beyond). They are misunderstood, maligned, and are “labels of primary potency” (Allport, 1986), identities which are seen to be of such significance that they overshadow our other identities and are thus assigned disproportionate importance. I see parallels between…
Society giveth, society taketh away, and maybe society giveth again
By Julie Morgenlender What do you think about as you head down the street? Maybe what to eat for dinner, something that happened at work today, the latest news headlines? Or maybe you think about how safe you are, if someone might attack you for who you are, or how to navigate a flight of…
My Disability is
By GL Meisner My disability is…My disability is my sexuality At least according to the critics I can’t focus on one personI can’t stay in a relationship for long My disability is my sexualityI swivel my head at every shinyAny voice overrides my attention My disability is my sexuality will grow out of it I…
Claiming My Labels
By Elizabeth M. Mechem When dealing with my ADHD, I find myself encountering many of the same issues I do when dealing with my sexuality. I have experienced outright dismissal and ridicule when opening up about being bisexual. In the same manner, I have experienced dismissal and ridicule when talking about having ADHD. This has…
Identity & Illness
By jeanette gandionco lazam/Waimanalo Sometimes, even all the love and kindness from family and friends just doesn’t make all things better, especially when you’re suffering from long-term illnesses that bring on extreme pain and other opportunistic sicknesses and disease, making your life more unbearable. Sometimes being alone, sobbing loudly or quietly, helps to release the…
Bipolar Hypo (Kind of) Manic
By Jane Barnes I. I have Medicare D disability free meds a subsidized place a giant one- bedroom on a leafy street where I write too many poems and when I’m a little “up” I’m amusing but there are too many calls texts emails mailed clipped articles helpful suggestions way TOO MUCH even in meditation I do…