I remember back in the 90′s, after the Americans with Disabilities Act had passed, I was out shopping in a Kohl’s department store. You know how they have manequins throughout department stores, modeling the clothes on the racks. Well one of the manequins in this particular store was in a wheelchair. The manequins back then were pretty average looking, but this particular mannequin seemed more average, more plastic than the others. I think it was the big, ugly, clunky wheelchair she was in. The only people I see in wheelchairs like that are in nursing homes, and this mannequin was not a senior citizen manequin.
I remember thinking, “that’s a step in the right direction, but she’s so prude looking”. The wheelchair mannequins are gone from the stores, I haven’t seen one in years. But indeed, we have come a long way. People with disabilities are in TV sitcoms, game shows, American Idol and The Next Comic Standing. I’ve documented some of these artist in previous blogs.
Portraying women with disabilities as sexy is so counter-culture, very risky and against all of our rules. Holly Norris in her American Able photo essay has done just that. There’s allot to say about her photos, but I’ll let them speak for themselves.
American Able by Holly Norris
American Able by Holly Norris
American Able by Holly Norris
These pictures need exposure (pardon the pun), lesbians need to see women with disabilities as sexual and the disability community needs to see lesbians. I know the intent behind the photographs was to draw attention to the ad industry in general and how it objectifies women and sexuality, but the lesbian and disability themes are equally as important. As a lesbian with a disability I often feel caught between the two identities; as a lesbian I’m often left out and marginalized and as a person with a disability it’s the same with regard to being a lesbian.
