So check this out:
The Night of the Senses Ball (formerly known as the Sex Maniacs’ Ball) in London (held each year in September), may be the only disability-friendly sex party in existence. I find this amusing for two reasons: #1. Wow, the UK? Where sexuality is usually repressed? Cool shit! And reason #2. From the pictures (which you can find in the original Nerve.com article, linked below), it really looks like everyone there could given a rat’s ass about all the differently-abled (and let’s be honest, differently-shaped bodies) that were present.
And my peoples, this makes me gleeful beyond repair.
I firmly stand by my belief that one of the hardest things about being disabled is the pigeonholing that the able-bodied population puts on us. They just really seem to enjoy putting us in the “asexual” category. I always love the horrified looks I get from old ladies on the street when I leave my place in sexy frock (for some evening function…a concert or clubbing usually). It’s as if I’m not allowed to express my sexuality. Sure, showing my femininity is ok (but you can’t have long hair or have any kind of cleavage showing. No siree), but anything else seems like it’s grounds for a charge of public lewdness.
So this Sex Maniacs’ Ball looks like one helluva party. I ask myself if I, a relatively attractive, blonde, 29 year old woman, who just happens to use a wheelchair, would go. My first concern is safety. Don’t want some strong guy just picking me up, throwing me on the library desk (or pool table), and having his way with me. BUT…if I had a boyfriend or a friend with me, I’d definitely consider it. I mean, life is short, and sex is great. Why not? It’d make a great story to relay during campfire story time come summer. Maybe I’ll just win the blue ribbon for the best story ever?
To read Lucy Grealy’s experience at the Sex Maniacs’ Ball, check out her article
In the Realm of the Senses over at Nerve.com.
