They dance on their boat as if their lives depend on it. Thirty-six homosexual mentally disabled people and their helpers want to show that they exist. “People should know that people like me have feelings too,” says Arnold, who has a minor mental disability. “And that’s OK.”
Nevertheless people with mental disabilities still run into problems in this day and age. “Sexuality in our group is already a difficult issue,” explains Arnold. He thinks the first problem the disabled encounter is that it is difficult to put their feelings into words.
In addition, they are dependent on their helpers to be able to do anything with those feelings. “For example, I wasn’t allowed to read the Gay Krant newspaper. And how could I visit a gay bar, when my helpers do not want to go with me and I cannot go alone?”
Support
Arnold managed to come out years ago, thanks to a good helper who supported him in discovering his sexual preferences.
“But we still hear about helpers and homes that refuse to have anything to do with homosexuality. “That is indirect discrimination,” thinks Arnold, “because what can a gay mentally disabled person do when he is dependent on a helper like that? He cannot develop. That is what we are fighting against. Today on this boat. People should see that we exist and that disability and homosexuality can go together."
Read more: First 'Jewish boat' in Gay Pride parade
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Hello,
I'm writing for my son Matt. He also has a slight LD. We are new to the Denver area and I want so badly for him to make friends with people like him. Who would understand him and have things in common without judging Matt. He is a great guy but I we just can't find anyone he could hang out with. As a mon I am so worried for his social life.
Please help,
Peggy
People don`t choose to be born....autistic, or schizophrenic, or to be deaf, blind....or dyslexic..it`s in their DNA...homophobia however, is usually an irrational attitude learned from from parents or peers....but homphobic teachings are also very often entwined within religious extremism.
Let these good people enjoy their lives...and well done Holland for raising standards of civilisation.
This is a good and welcomed article, but your writer still does not understand gays when you use the word "preferences", which really is a word meaning choices. A better word would be sexual "identity". We don't "prefer" homosexuality, that is just who we are.
"We don't "prefer" homosexuality, that is just who we are." A statement such as " We don't "prefer" homosexuality, that is just who we are." is a weak excuse. People at any given time in their lives are a sum total of all of their expierences. One's personality is a fabric of one's experiences and choices during one's life and one can change can change one fabric (personality) at any time by removing the threads of discomfort. If one enjoys the fabric in which he or she has fabricated so be it but one should not get upset because others see his/her specific lifestyle as normal because they too have belief systems. Alanposting, you have a good day.
You missed one....a person's DNA. Your trying Hiram, but not very hard. Your pompous, know whats best for mankind attitude is really laughably. I would guess the halls of a university have not seen you pass, because your thought process is not very deep. Sorry your "removing the threads of discomfort" is more crap...we do see you for what you are.....very disappointed in your own life. That comes from psychology 101. Hiram have a good day too and thank your for your good wishes.
Alanposting, you stated "You missed one....a person's DNA." Does one's DNA really determine one choices? Does DNA really make one's decisions in life such as what movies to go see, what foods to eat, what baseball games to go an watch, with what people to associate, and the millions of other interactions with the physical world? No, using DNA as an excuse for one's actions is a cop-out. DNA doesn't tells one what to do or not do. Everything one does in life becomes part of the fabric of life. No, Alanposting, DNA is not a justification but an excuse (Psy 102). P.S. Saying one is "pompous is part of one of those many choices humans learn as they interact in life. It sounds like you have used it in the past with people who you disagree. Don't get upset with the words of others by using insults unless your DNA made you do it and then you have another justifiable excuse. Have a good day.
"Does DNA really make one's decisions in life such as what movies to go see, what foods to eat, what baseball games to go an watch, with what people to associate, and the millions of other interactions with the physical world? No"....well lets see. Your DNA might be responsible if you see movies at all..(you inherited bad eyes)...Foods to eat, certainly many times dependent on your DNA....no one in my family can eat cherrys, nor my grandparents....your DNA might determine the people who you associate with...a friend of mine's whole family have bad legs and can't move much at all. You know its fun to insult you cause its so easy to do....but I really think you have no friends and way too much time on your hands. I also think "you doth protest to much"...when you sneak out of your next porno theater, think of me. Thanks and have a nice day. BTW, I have a masters degree in Sociology...let me know your area of studies.
"BTW, I have a masters degree in Sociology...let me know your area of studies.".........Did you receive your degree because of DNA or did you choose you it? Alanposting, don't worry about the insults. As to having bad eyes, one can still have bad eyes and go to a theater. As to eating cherries, one can "learn" (early in life) to take on one's grandparents or parents "likes or dislikes" of cherries by their stories they tell. The only problem is: "maybe grandpa or grandma got drunk and during his or her state of drunkness and he/sge ate too many cherries. Instead of blaming the alcohol (something they enjoy) and not wanting to quit ( justifying or making excuses) they transfer the blame on the cherries or DNA and built and adversion toward the cherries. The grandparents then taught their children about how cherries affected them but like Paul Harvey use to say "they didn't tell the whole story about how they over ate cherries while drunk. Alan you start telling your children over a long period of time (over a long period of time) that cherries are bad, then your children are going to believe it and take on the syptoms. Next time when grandpa or grandma tells you a story, try to remember one thing: "People don't always tell the "whole" truth. What is the truth? The truth is: "Don't blame DNA for a lifestyle of one's choosing. If you enjoy who you are then so be it but if you don't, you can always change because behaviors can be changed. Oh, I almost forgot! My educational level is "?"! Have a good day.
At least we now know your education level. If I had to bet, I would say you are using the computer in the psychiatric hospital.. obviously they have you on the wrong medicine. btw, my area of studies is "human behavior", that's why your so easy.... write away, but this is my last.
..."People should see that we exist and that disability and homosexuality can go together." People do see. Disability and homosexuality not only "can" go together but do go together.
Yet more thinly-veiled hate speech from you, Hiram. You never miss an opportunity to criticize and further ostracize gay people. Gay people are not inherently disabled, like you so snidely say but are human beings just like you. Homosexuality is not a disability, except for people like you. Join the rest of the civilized world, Hiram and leave your hate behind...
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