Dating different: Sex with a disability

According to a recent census, nearly 1 in 5 people in the U.S. have a disability. That adds up to about 56.7 million people, so having a disability—or dating someone who does—isn’t such a rare thing. But it can be a misunderstood thing. To gain some perspective on sex with a disability, here’s a list of helpful links.

• Sex Talk Realness: How I have sex with a disability. Cosmo interviewed five women “about their experiences with sex, dating, and living with a body that doesn’t always work the way you want it to.” Their honest answers are illuminating.
  
• Sex + With Laci Green. Watch this video for a first-hand account of what it’s like to date—and hook up—in a wheelchair. Then click “Show More” under the video for an awesome/extensive list of links on sex, injuries, illness, disabilities, and more.
  
• Disabled and Fighting for a Sex Life. The Atlantic blows away a bunch of misperceptions about sex and people with physical or cognitive disabilities.
  
• Why Sex With Someone With a Disability Is the Best Sex You Could Be Having. The Huffington Post gives us a gay man’s perspective on the perks of disabled sex. It’s uplifting and insightful.
  
• Debunking Myths About Sexuality and Disability. About.com takes 11 hard-hitting myths on this topic and busts them wide open. Don’t miss the great supporting links used throughout the article too.
  
• A woman with a disability gets real about dating and sex. Upworthy gives us a glimpse into Dr. Danielle Sheypuk’s humorous and brutally honest TEDx Talk on what it’s like to date with a disability.
• Dear Able-Bodied Partner. This Autostraddle article offers some candid advice to able-bodied people dating someone with a disability.

BTW, don’t forget that disabled sex may still require birth control if you want protection against STIs or an unplanned pregnancy.

Here’s to a happy, healthy sex life for all,
Bedsider

P.S. If you ever need a straightforward answer to a pressing question about sexual health or birth control…we’ve got it covered.