Young disabled and LGBT+: negotiating identity

Abstract

Disabled people are historically de-sexualized and labelled as non-sexual, incapable or uninterested in sex/relationships. This perception does much to reinforce social inequalities and misconceptions about disabled sexuality and gender. For young people who are LGBT + the task of negotiating their identity and making sense of who they are is challenging. Not only is their sexuality and gender invalidated by wider society, they are also marginalized and largely unsupported during a period of intense identity negotiation. Presenting findings from a UK-based qualitative project, this article explores how in the light of such challenges, young disabled LGBT + people understand, negotiate and enact their identities.

Keywords:

• Sexuality
• disability
• youth
• identity
• LGBT+
• gender identity

Notes on contributors

Alex Toft is a Research Fellow in sociology in the Centre for Innovative Research Across the Lifecourse at Coventry University. Alex's research focuses upon identity, sexuality, gender identity, disability, religion and the well-being of young people.

Anita Franklin is a Reader in Children and Families Research in the Centre for Innovative Research Across the Lifecourse at Coventry University. Anita's research focuses on giving a voice to disabled children and young people and developing participatory methodologies to enable disabled children and young people to be co-leaders in academic research.

Emma Langley is a Research Assistant in Children and Families Research in the Centre for Innovative Research Across the Lifecourse at Coventry University. Emma's research interests include the wellbeing of disabled people, family systems theory and family dynamics, sexuality and disabled people, and participatory research methodologies.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the British Academy [SG163117].