(DIS1b) Breaking Barriers II: Discourse and Representation of Sexuality and Disability

This session will delve into how sexuality and disability are portrayed within broader discourse. By interrogating dominant narratives, this session will cover historical and contemporary portrayal of disability, sexualities, and queerness. Presenters will cover topics, such as shifting narratives by queer disabled Redditors, psychiatric discourses of queer identities in the twentieth-century, and AI representations of disability and sexuality. This session highlights how dominant narratives and societal constructions inform popular perceptions of disabled people. Tags: Disabilities, Health and Care, Sexualities

Organizers: Alan Santinele Martino, University of Calgary, Thomas Tri, University of Calgary, Eleni Moumos, University of Calgary; Chair: Alan Santinele Martino, University of Calgary

Presentations

Aidan Blockley, University of Alberta

Maddening Queers: Psychiatric Discourses Around Queer Identities in Twentieth-Century Canada

Much academic research exists on the historical treatment of 2SLGBTQIA+ people within the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Despite these two countries being marked as the Canadian psychiatric system’s two major influences, there is little historical literature on queer-psychiatric relationships in Canada. This research aims to fill this gap and, further, build on the work of queer and “madness” activists to conceptualize new/old theories of queerness in our current day and age. Using a Foucauldian genealogical approach, this study assesses multiple psy-aligned professional archives; gay and lesbian/ex-mental patient activism archives; and the provincial archives of Alberta, to gain a multiple-level picture of queer-psychiatric discourse in Canada from 1962-1991. This time period marks rapid changes in the psychiatric discourse concerning same-sex attracted and gender-deviant folks in the United Kingdom and the United States, and a rise of critical consciousness against institutional psychiatry among communities marked as “mad” and disabled. In the midst of testimonies written by sex/gender-deviant folks concerning their traumas within mental wards, a theory of “queerness” emerges from the text of British Columbia’s Mental Health Act, which was in use through the 1970s- that those who are/were called "queer" are those who are “improper” in their reactions to their environments and in their relationships to others. These criteria, originally meant for “qualified professionals” to determine whether someone should be involuntarily committed to psychiatric treatment, gives us insight into the nature of queered sexuality and gender. This “improper relating/reacting” principle would sort transgender people into “valid” and “invalid” categories; fuel studies that would render mad/disabled people into sexual and gender deviants; and justify the use of Electro-Convulsive Therapy, psychotropic drug administration, and isolation treatment against a host of communities Canadian society considered deviant and non-normative. This paper is meant to compile psychiatric literature, activists’ first-hand testimonies, and case studies to outline the state of Canadian psychiatry during this critical time period. While it can be considered seminal in the academic literature, it should be noted that the underpinning theory of maddened-queerness is not new: that as queer, mad/mentally ill, and disabled folks, we can trust the wisdom of our body-minds, and that our ways-of-being should be considered sources of empowerment rather than obstacles to living full and happy lives.

Thomas Tri, University of Calgary; Alan Santinele Martino, University of Calgary

Beyond Deficit Narratives: A Qualitative Journey into the Lives of Queer Disabled Redditors

Access to information about queerness and disability has been unreliable and incomprehensive within formal education settings. In contrast, digital spaces allow people to share challenges, successes, and advice. Digital spaces, such as social media or the internet more broadly, have been focal points in fostering community, belonging, and connection. For many queer and disabled people, digital spaces not only serve as an avenue for support and interaction, but it can also serve as a vital tool in identity-making and ownership of one’s narrative. This phenomenon underscores the importance of exploring the concept of joy within these marginalized groups, challenging the prevalent "joy deficit" perspective that tends to focus solely on their suffering and misery. The term "joy deficit" highlights a research tendency to overlook the positive aspects of the lives of queer and disabled individuals, emphasizing their struggles while neglecting their resilience, hope, visions, and wisdom. Tuck (2009) suggests adopting a desire-based framework that acknowledges loss and despair and recognizes the positive elements within these communities. Scholars have delved into the concept of joy among queer and disabled individuals, exploring how critical experiences of pleasure and happiness are in the face of obstacles, yet queerness and disability are often discussed in silo. To address the intersection of queer and disabled joy using a desire-based framework, this study seeks to investigate how queer disabled online users understand joy in Reddit. Objectives of the study include a) identify how users defy normative narratives about disability and queerness that are disempowering and b) investigate how users construct new narratives around queerness and disability. Using a content analysis, this study will examine and analyze posts, comments, and content from Reddit spanning the past five years. A targeted search strategy will employ specific keywords, including "queer," "LGBTQ+," "disabled," and "disability," to identify and gather pertinent discussions within relevant subreddits systematically. A thematic analysis will be conducted inductively and iteratively to generate themes. Finally, this research project will be disseminated to local non-profits and organizations through infographics that mirror Reddit threads. In doing so, knowledge is accessible and more engaging. This study also seeks to inform practical outcomes such as policy, programs, and services that centre joy and foster well-being. This study is a work in progress and will have substantial results by the time of the conference.

Melissa Miller, University of Calgary

Exploring Representations of Disability and Sexuality in AI-Generated Art

Artificial intelligence (AI) has dramatically transformed the landscape of creative arts, particularly in terms of image generation. This evolution of AI technology presents a unique opportunity to critically examine its role in shaping societal perceptions, especially concerning sensitive topics like disability and sexuality. This exploratory qualitative study delves into two fundamental research questions: Firstly, what types of images are generated by AI when tasked with representing disability and sexuality? Secondly, do these AI-created images reinforce or challenge prevailing stereotypes and perceptions surrounding disability and sexuality? AI-based image generation tools possess the dual capability of fostering positive societal shifts while also posing significant challenges. These tools, through their programming and learned datasets, have the potential to either perpetuate harmful stereotypes or offer new, inclusive perspectives. Our study aims to provide a critical analysis of the representations of disability and sexuality in AI-generated imagery. By doing so, we seek to understand whether AI is merely replicating entrenched societal biases or if it is capable of contributing to a more diverse and inclusive visual narrative. This paper rigorously examines the portrayal of disability and sexuality in AI-generated images. By conducting a qualitative analysis of visual content produced by various AI models, our aim is to explore how AI technology impacts the depiction of disabled individuals as sexual beings. Utilizing NVivo, a qualitative analysis software, we engaged in an in-depth content analysis to identify and explore recurring themes within these images. Our preliminary findings reveal a concerning trend in AI-generated imagery: a significant lack of diversity and a narrow representation of the disabled experience. Most images predominantly feature white heterosexual couples, and, notably, when disability was explicitly mentioned in the prompts provided to AI image generators, many of the resultant images failed to display any visible signs of disability. In cases where disability was depicted, the inclusion of wheelchairs and glasses were often the sole indicators, demonstrating a limited and stereotypical perspective on disability. This study underlines the potential of AI-generated content in showcasing the rich and diverse experiences of disability. However, realizing this potential hinges on training AI models with a more comprehensive and varied range of images and data. It is imperative for developers, content creators, and designers to engage in ethical practices. This encompasses the diversification of training data to counteract ingrained biases, the integration of accessibility features in AI-generated content, and the proactive solicitation of feedback from individuals with disabilities during the development process. Our paper casts a critical light on the current state of disability and sexuality representation in AI-generated images. The analysis we present is not just an end in itself but serves as a catalyst for further research, ethical discussions, and the responsible use of AI in visual content creation. In our presentation, we will elucidate these preliminary findings, drawing attention to the persistent erasure of the disabled experience and the predominance of white heteronormative portrayals within AI image generation. As AI technology continues to evolve, it is essential to ensure that its application is marked by careful consideration and intentionality. AI holds the promise to represent and enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities effectively. However, this can only be achieved if we commit to using AI in a manner that ensures all individuals, regardless of their abilities, are portrayed with the accuracy, dignity, and respect they deserve.

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Non-presenting authors: Alan Santinele Martino, University of Calgary; Rachell Trung, University of Calgary; Eleni Moumos, University of Calgary