Disability History and Culture

“Nothing about us, without us!” That’s the overarching message of these pieces.

Two side by side photos of Bad Papi and Pyx Elated. Bad Papi is a trans Cubane person with slicked back black hair & brown eyes. They’re wearing makeup in the colors of PTSD awareness. His eye makeup is a large dark purple outer line going from the top of his eyelids to the sides of his eyes, a light blue eyeshadow, & a dark blue line under his eyes. She has blue lipstick w/ purple lipstick liner. The PTSD ribbon symbol is on both of their cheeks, one in blue & one in purple. He’s wearing a purple patterned shirt & facing the camera with a serious facial expression. Her fingers are resting on the sides of her face. Pyx Elated is a white transmasculine non-binary person with auburn short coiffed hair & blue eyes. Their eye makeup is done in pink, white, & blue liner in the pattern of the trans flag. They have a dark brown goatee. They’re wearing a white button up shirt & a light pink feather boa around his neck. They’re facing the camera with a serious facial expression & holding up a white lace floral fan.

How Disabled Queer People Are Finding Community Through Digital Drag

Author note: At the time of writing, Pyx Elated (They/Them) was previously known as Peter Panic (He/Him). They’re comfortable with the article using the name Peter Panic and he/him pronouns as written, but the image description and link at the…

A grayscale photo of a Black woman in a flowy white top and skirt, holding a cane in one hand, her other hand outstretched. Her eyes are peacefully closed. She is standing in an overgrown field with trees behind her.

Queen Jasmeen: Creating Space for Disability Through Poetry

“Poetry was the first way I asked for help.” –Jasmine “Queen Jasmeen” Schlafke Slam poet and disability justice advocate Jasmine Schlafke began writing at age twelve and began competing in slam poetry in 2011, where starting in 2012 she won…

A painting of Frida Kahlo who has multicolored flowers in her hair, bright red lipstick, and earrings shaped like hands. She is against a background of bright green leaves.

Frida Kahlo: A Bisexual Disabled Mexican Artist Marginalised in Life but Celebrated in Death

Content note: brief mention of cyber assault and suicide I find myself wondering how Frida Kahlo became such an icon. After all, not everyone can claim they are disabled, bisexual female artists of Mexican descent who attempt to live their…

A blurred photo of wheelchair racers in motion.

Grappling with Ableism in the Para-Sport Movement

Lengthy periods of contemplation don’t usually start with an accessible door opener. Let’s rewind. I’m a former national team-level athlete in wheelchair basketball and rugby. I was on the long list that the Canadian Paralympic Committee puts together as a…

Braxton sits in their wheelchair in front of their fireplace.

Wheelchairs & Societal Expectations with Braxton

Assumptions can be harmful, even if you have good intentions. Braxton shares some of the misconceptions they've faced as a person that uses a wheelchair.

Against a background of a cloudy sky and brick building is the head of a statue of Harriet Tubman, taken from a lower angle so that the statue exudes strength and power.

Why Don’t More People Know Harriet Tubman Was Disabled?

America tends to minimize or alter the contributions of Black people in its history. George Washington Carver didn’t invent peanut butter; he was a prominent scientist that changed the way farmers work with crops. Martin Luther King Jr. is …

Mel Baggs Will Never Leave Us

Content note: includes discussion of eugenic ableism, medical abuse, institutionalization, white supremacist murder Memory is important. But your own personal memory is not necessary. The best of human memory is fallible, changing, and fickle. And memory can fail. In so…

Lyla stands with her cane in front of a giraffe in the giraffe barn

Giraffes Say, “Habitats for All!”

Lyla introduces her friend Dave the Giraffe from Woodland Park Zoo, and shares how people and animals of all abilities and disabilities need different types of habitats.

Hudson in front of a stuffed eagle and other science equipment

Tortoises Say, “Fun for All!”

Hudson introduces his friend Rivera the Tortoise, and talks about his day at the Zoomazium on Sensory Friendly Friday at Woodland Park Zoo, where people of all abilities and disabilities can have fun.