In Our Words
Stories from the Intersection of LGBTQIA+ Identity and Disability

Explore the many lived experiences of Disabled people identifying as LGBTQIA+

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"In Our Words is a book I wish had been available when I was a teenager, grappling with issues of sexuality and disability."Dr Alastair McEwin AM, Former Commissioner, Disability Royal Commission; Former Disability Discrimination Commissioner

What can we learn from the lived experiences of Disabled people identifying as LGBTQIA+?

Through a series of personal reflections, In Our Words follows the difficult journeys of a number of Queer and Disabled authors from coming out to arriving at a place of positive identity.

This empowering collection discusses the discrimination and hatred faced by the Queer and Disabled community, and shares how these barriers can be overcome to arrive at a place of self-acceptance and love. Through examples, this book aims to promote a sense of unity and pride.

Through tales of self-reflection, insight, and discovery, this book is ideal reading for students of Disability Studies, LGBTQIA+ Studies, Social Work, and Gender Studies as well as Queer Disabled folk.

In Our Words is a book I wish had been available when I was a teenager, grappling with issues of sexuality and disability. Like many of the contributors to this book, I experienced feelings of confusion and a lack of pride and confidence in myself and my place in the world.

Through story-telling and the sharing of experiences, at times searingly raw, this book draws on rich diversity and intersectionality to present a clear message: it is okay to be queer and disabled.

I commend Wayne and Yenn for putting together a wonderful compilation of queer and disabled life stories. This is a book that will be an invaluable addition to queer and disabled literature.

        Foreword by Philippa Moss 

 

        Introducing the editors: When Yenn met Wayne and Wayne met Yenn 

 

        Learning objectives 

 

            Chapter1 Introduction

 

            Chapter2 Wayne Herbert

 

            Chapter3 Dr Wesley Lim

 

            Chapter4 Kelly Vincent

 

            Chapter5 Zoe Simmons

 

            Chapter6 Dr Wenn Lawson

 

            Chapter7 Empress Eyrie

 

            Chapter8 Dr Emma Goodall

 

            Chapter9 Freya Pinney

 

            Chapter10 Ainslee Hooper

 

            Chapter11 Jack Brady

 

            Chapter12 Kat Reed

 

            Chapter13 Margherita Coppolino

 

            Chapter14 Yenn Purkis

 

            Chapter 15 Summary

 

        Suggested discussion topics 

 

        References 

 

        Recommended further reading 

 

        Index 

Wayne Herbert is an international speaker, MC, comedian, and writer. He serves on the board of LGBTIQ+ Health Australia and is the former Vice President of Meridian, a Canberra community-controlled organisation working to prevent and ameliorate HIV. Wayne was nominated as the 2018 Australian Capital Territory Australian of the year for services to the LGBTQIA+ and Disability communities.

Yenn Purkis (they/them) is an author, public servant, and advocate for Autistic people and their families. Living with diagnoses of Autism, ADHD, and atypical schizophrenia, Yenn is a frequent speaker on the topics of neurodiversity, mental health, gender, and employment, and facilitates a support group for Autistic women and non-binary people.

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Tushar Bhati
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About The Book

"In Our Words is a book I wish had been available when I was a teenager, grappling with issues of sexuality and disability."Dr Alastair McEwin AM, Former Commissioner, Disability Royal Commission; Former Disability Discrimination Commissioner

What can we learn from the lived experiences of Disabled people identifying as LGBTQIA+?

Through a series of personal reflections, In Our Words follows the difficult journeys of a number of Queer and Disabled authors from coming out to arriving at a place of positive identity.

This empowering collection discusses the discrimination and hatred faced by the Queer and Disabled community, and shares how these barriers can be overcome to arrive at a place of self-acceptance and love. Through examples, this book aims to promote a sense of unity and pride.

Through tales of self-reflection, insight, and discovery, this book is ideal reading for students of Disability Studies, LGBTQIA+ Studies, Social Work, and Gender Studies as well as Queer Disabled folk.

Endorsement

In Our Words is a book I wish had been available when I was a teenager, grappling with issues of sexuality and disability. Like many of the contributors to this book, I experienced feelings of confusion and a lack of pride and confidence in myself and my place in the world.

Through story-telling and the sharing of experiences, at times searingly raw, this book draws on rich diversity and intersectionality to present a clear message: it is okay to be queer and disabled.

I commend Wayne and Yenn for putting together a wonderful compilation of queer and disabled life stories. This is a book that will be an invaluable addition to queer and disabled literature.

Table of Contents

        Foreword by Philippa Moss 

 

        Introducing the editors: When Yenn met Wayne and Wayne met Yenn 

 

        Learning objectives 

 

            Chapter1 Introduction

 

            Chapter2 Wayne Herbert

 

            Chapter3 Dr Wesley Lim

 

            Chapter4 Kelly Vincent

 

            Chapter5 Zoe Simmons

 

            Chapter6 Dr Wenn Lawson

 

            Chapter7 Empress Eyrie

 

            Chapter8 Dr Emma Goodall

 

            Chapter9 Freya Pinney

 

            Chapter10 Ainslee Hooper

 

            Chapter11 Jack Brady

 

            Chapter12 Kat Reed

 

            Chapter13 Margherita Coppolino

 

            Chapter14 Yenn Purkis

 

            Chapter 15 Summary

 

        Suggested discussion topics 

 

        References 

 

        Recommended further reading 

 

        Index 

About The Author

Wayne Herbert is an international speaker, MC, comedian, and writer. He serves on the board of LGBTIQ+ Health Australia and is the former Vice President of Meridian, a Canberra community-controlled organisation working to prevent and ameliorate HIV. Wayne was nominated as the 2018 Australian Capital Territory Australian of the year for services to the LGBTQIA+ and Disability communities.

Yenn Purkis (they/them) is an author, public servant, and advocate for Autistic people and their families. Living with diagnoses of Autism, ADHD, and atypical schizophrenia, Yenn is a frequent speaker on the topics of neurodiversity, mental health, gender, and employment, and facilitates a support group for Autistic women and non-binary people.

User Reviews
Rating
T
Tushar Bhati
Reviewed on
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