A complex and especially “hidden” Subject: the connection of Homosexuality and “Disability”

The group LGD (Lesbiche e Gay Disabili) – Abili di Cuore di Bologna has together with the Centro Bolognese di Terapia della Famiglia and the Centro Documentazione Handicap di Bologna embraced this subject. The results of our research projects can be read in the report “Abili di Cuore. Omo-disabilita’: quale rapporto tra omosessualita’ e disabilita’”. Dozens of homosexual and bisexual people with disabilities from all over Italy contacted us, also via our Mailing-List, to tell us of their experiences and to encourage us to continue with the work we have begun in this field. We have also received similar reactions from many who work in the social sector and also the sector for assistance.

We want to spark a new dialogue with the unions and cooperatives, which deal with “Disability”, with the LGBT community and the whole society. Since we believe, that knowledge of our experiences can enrich others:
• to say the we are disabled, bears witness to the fact that gays and lesbians age, become ill and don’t have perfect bodies – it is a refreshing change to the contrary portrayed by mass media and advertising campaigns;
• to say that we are homosexual, strengthens the notion that people with disabilities can also have a sexuality and that sexuality comes in different shapes and forms, contrary to that which is highlighted by certain mentalities and politics which prevail today.

We want to create a group that allows for meetings, advice, exchange, raising awareness, education and training. The first opportunity to do this is at the National LGBT Pride which is taking place on the 28th June 2008 in Bologna, to which we also invite you to take part alongside us. It is clearly the best opportunity for us all, to be seen, to engage ourselves, to make others aware and to celebrate together i.e. to “emancipate” us.

We are trying to make Bologna Pride a barrier-free Pride. We are trying to make ourselves, above all, available by providing the following:
• adequate information material for the blind;
• Information on how places, where many Pride events will take place, can be easily accessed and also their accessibility with public transport
• Information on barrier-free hotels;
• A group of volunteers who during the parade on the 28 June will provide help and support wherever and whenever necessary.
• A sign-language interpreter at the closing rally at the end of the parade on the 28th June.

All information can be found on the website www.bolognapride.it , which is regularly updated. For further information or to volunteer, contact us via email at omodisabili@libero.it or phone us on +39 34 85 16 70 91, or on 051 55 56 61 (Telefono-amico Gay) or 051 528 09 18 (Linea Lesbica)

Raffaele Lelleri
LGD group (Lesbiche e Gay Disabili) – Abili di Cuore di Bologna
info@lelleri.it
33.89.97.83.01