Last year, Antara Telang had chronicled her experiences on Tinder as a physically disabled woman for the blog sexualityanddisability.org. The story created ripples, and for many, it introduced the unrecognised reality that disabled people, too, are sexual beings. In a country where women’s sexual liberation is still spoken about in hushed whispers, and disability is excluded in discussions relevant to society, the topic of sex and sexuality of disabled women struggles to make room for itself in conversation.
Everything from matrimonial websites to dating apps exclusively catering to the disabled have cropped up in India. Many times, these platforms can prove to be helpful to people with disabilities to voice themselves as sexual beings. But on other days, they end up hurting the cause for inclusion by further deepening the perceived divide between the disabled and the non-disabled.
Keeping all of this in mind, it comes as a breath of fresh air that an event in the city is all set to raise awareness about sexuality and disability in women. Organised by the Mumbai-based non-profit Point of View, the event is being held in association with One Billion Rising, the global campaign that raises awareness about women’s issues through art. The event is especially significant, as it acknowledges the inclusion of disabled women in the larger spectrum of the fight for women’s rights and gender equality.
Nidhi Goyal, director of the sexuality and disability programme for Point of View, says, “The motive is to create an inclusive environment for both abled and disabled people. We’re working with the motto of ‘Collaboration. Inclusion. Awareness’.”
For the non-disabled, talking about disability has often been accompanied by trepidation about causing offence. Even amongst those willing to educate themselves on the nuances of living with disabilities, direct communication proves to be uncomfortable. But art communicates what clinical conversations don’t. Which is why the organisers have chosen art forms like dance, spoken word, comedy and drama to highlight and communicate nuances of sexuality and disability. Goyal says, “Even if ideas related to sexuality of disabled women appear to be laced with apprehension, the art forms used to express them are non-threatening and encourage engagement.”
Why does perceiving the disabled as sexual beings prove to be difficult for the abled in society? Telang narrows her reasons down to two. “People with heavy physical disabilities, especially those who are wheelchair-bound, have generally been raised by guardians who tend to infantalise them,” she says. “The idea that someone who is wheelchair-bound could have desires beyond basic bodily functions is not an active thought. The second reason is people perceive sexuality to be only about intercourse, forgetting that different people perceive intimacy differently. We have to make room to accommodate different expressions of sexuality,” says Telang.
The event will also highlight mental health through the spoken word, performed by slam poet Aishwarya Kamat. Mental illnesses are not generally perceived to be disabling, but Kamat believes they can be so. She says, “Most people suffering from anxiety or depression are unable to physically function after a panic attack. You feel weak and fatigued. Feeling like you want to function but being unable to do so, is very disabling.”
Goyal, who is a visually challenged activist, is all set to perform her stand-up comedy piece to highlight aspects of sexuality and disability in women. Apart from a skit and Kamat’s spoken word piece, dance performances by Sandip Soparrkar, Shibani Mukherjee and a lavani group from Tarai Foundation are also a part of evening’s agenda. There’s more fun ahead as the programme’s second part is slated to invite audience members for an all-inclusive dance session.
Sexuality and Disability at One Billion Rising will be held at the Daughters of St. Paul’s Chapel, Bandra, at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Free entry after on-the-spot registrations.
