WHERE WE BELONG: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF COMMUNITY FOR THE LGBTI+ DISABLED COMMUNITY
icebreaker for initiating conversations with people. Crossdressing in cosplay, referred to as ‘crossplay’ allows people to explore their personality and gender expression without judgment and neurodivergent people, who often have a hard time communicating themselves with others, can use cosplay as visual storytelling to express their personality and seek out new friends with common interests. DISCOVERING A SPACE WHERE I WAS FREE TO JUST BE MY AUTHENTIC QUEER, NEURODIVERGENT SELF WAS EXHILARATING. My friend Jim Fitz described the sensation as “finally being unmasked and amongst my people,” which is a which is a good way to describe the healing and accepting spaces that exist in spaces where LGBTI+ disabled people are given an outlet for self- expression. I’ve had similar experiences in the D&D community where people from all walks of life are free to roleplay however they like or in the gaming community which is a highly communal space where people can play alongside anyone they like regardless of where they are in the world. These inclusive and judgement- free spaces are incredible for encouraging LGBTI+ disabled people to socialize as they may struggle to do so in normal everyday life. I spoke with Rebecca, another member of Rainbow DiverseAbilities, a monthly social café created by and for disabled and neurodivergent members of the LGBTI+ community about the significance of belonging and community in their lives, and she graciously shared her thoughts: Everyone is unique and diverse in their own way. We all have our skills, qualities, personality traits, and characteristics. Never judge a book by its cover; everyone’s disabilities impact them in their own lives differently, and some people have more severe disabilities. My disability would affect me in a working environment as I
wouldn’t be able to stand for long periods due to my back injury. Also, I cannot lift heavy objects or maneuver easily. Even at home, I would need a supported chair when sitting at a desk, like doing jigsaw puzzles, word searches, and colouring. When changing my bed, I have a single bed at home—it makes my life easier. I would need to attend physiotherapy once a month to keep my back mobile. I would find bending down hard, whether to tie zips or shoelaces and require shoes that are easy to slip on in the morning. I would also find washing my back in the shower hard, and sometimes, I can’t reach my head back far enough to wash my hair. I have joined a Pilates class that improves my strength and flexibility. I also go swimming once a week where I swim lengths in both the shallow and deep ends. Neurodiverse people interact with the world in different ways—through acting, behaving, learning, and thinking. There is no “right” way. Neurodiverse people have different thought behaviours, patterns, and learning styles. They learn by memory, visually, or through writing. Neurodivergent people may struggle in various social situations. They might be naturally talented at drawing without needing to participate in an art class or accumulate structured learning experiences but may find it hard to complete a job interview even if they pay great attention to detail, ensuring consistency throughout their work. I often travel by bus to my course at the National Learning Network. Sometimes, I notice the bus driver pulling down the ramp for people in wheelchairs. Automatic doors in certain places make it easier for people with mobility impairments to enter and exit. There should be crosswalks with loud tones for those who are visually impaired or blind. This ensures they know when it is safe to cross the street or be provided with a companion dog to assist them in stressful situations. Research on neurodivergent people shows that awareness of neurodiversity helps individuals adapt and succeed. People with dyslexia, for example, often process information differently. While they may struggle with reading, their
brains are often better at processing mental pictures and 3D objects. This ability means they may have natural talents in fields like graphic design, arts, and engineering. Neurodivergent people often excel in online communication because non-verbal communication (such as eye contact, facial expressions, and body language) plays a key role in in- person interactions. Experts compare digital devices to prosthetics for those who have difficulties in social communication. For LGBTI+ disabled people who are isolated or lonely, it is hard to make friends through school, college, and in their personal lives. There are several online spaces where people can gather, swap or discuss their views, opinions, thoughts, feelings, and emotions to support someone struggling in society. They can offer advice and resources to each other, with neurodivergent communities and groups sharing information on popular websites and social media platforms. To conclude, there are things that we must do to value each other’s skills, qualities, characteristics, and traits like listening to disabled individuals as they have their own opinions, views, thoughts, and feelings/ emotions. Sometimes, they might feel misunderstood and left out. Rainbow DiverseAbilities meets monthly and provides a fun and accessible social escape by and for disabled or neurodivergent members of the LGBTQ+ community (including people living with chronic conditions). We’ll be hosting an Online Pride Social as part of Cork LGBT+ Pride Festival on Wednesday, July 30th from 7PM – 8:30 PM. Email rainbowda@gayproject.ie to register for this event.
By Jason “Jibbs” Scully (he/they)
A common sentiment nowadays is that it’s better to stand out than to fit in but everyone at some point has experienced the pressure of needing to fit into the jigsaw of community which can be very constraining and stressful. Workplaces and schools in particular can be very demanding of people physically and mentally which can be difficult for the disabled or neurodivergent. Oftentimes we can find ourselves hiding behind a series of masks in an attempt to fit in or people please. The experience can be quite demoralising as we attempt to navigate a series of spaces not designed to accommodate us. I think it’s important therefore to focus on places where we do belong and can really connect with each other. For me, the first place I
found where I felt like I belonged was at conventions with cosplayers.
Fortunately, it’s easier now than ever before to branch out through the likes of TikTok, Instagram or Meet-up which allow people to access communities of like-minded individuals which is vital for our sense of well-being and belonging. The internet has become a gateway to meeting countless people from every walk of life which has allowed people to connect and form strong connections with others which is vital for our sense of well-being. The cosplay community was the first LGBTI+ and disability-friendly place that I really found I fit into. Seeing people dressed as the characters they identify with tells you a lot about their personalities and functions as an
I think it’s fair to say that growing up LGBTI+ or with some form of disability makes fitting in difficult, particularly early on in life when you’re trying to figure out yourself and the world around you between classes and homework. Fitting in as an LGBTI+ disabled person can be quite hard as you attempt to find places that fit on the Venn diagram between LGBTI+-friendly spaces and disabled-friendly spaces where you feel you belong which can be very constraining.
SOCIALS:
Instagram: @Rainbow_DiverseAbilities
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