Disabilty and Kink: How do People with Disabilities Navigate within the Kink Community
Location
FA-152
Start Date
1-5-2026 9:20 AM
Department
Sociology
Abstract
Many people with disabilities are also sexual beings, just like people without disabilities. This is human nature, however, much of dominant society still looks upon disabled bodies as nonsexual. This is called desexualization; a type of ableism that strips away a sexual identity and suppresses sexual agency. This research analyzes how people within the disabled community might use sexualacts within the kink community as a way to have positive sexual experiences. Using a focus group of a few disabled individuals within the local kink community we analyze how people with disabilities interact and navigate within the kink community to take back agency and sexual power. Looking at positive and negative interactions experienced with interacting with kink play, and within kink spaces.
Faculty Sponsor
Juan Martinez
Disabilty and Kink: How do People with Disabilities Navigate within the Kink Community
FA-152
Many people with disabilities are also sexual beings, just like people without disabilities. This is human nature, however, much of dominant society still looks upon disabled bodies as nonsexual. This is called desexualization; a type of ableism that strips away a sexual identity and suppresses sexual agency. This research analyzes how people within the disabled community might use sexualacts within the kink community as a way to have positive sexual experiences. Using a focus group of a few disabled individuals within the local kink community we analyze how people with disabilities interact and navigate within the kink community to take back agency and sexual power. Looking at positive and negative interactions experienced with interacting with kink play, and within kink spaces.