#queeranddisabled

[annieelainey]

Oh, is this the time of year we post a 9 photo grid and admire how cute we all are? Yay!! We're all so cute!!⁣ 🙌 ⁣ [Image Description: 9 photos of Annie from the year 2019. ⁣ ⁣ From left to right: Annie sits in her wheelchair wearing a rainbow skirt in front of a doorstep, text edited onto the doors reads, "Make Pride Accessible"⁣ ⁣ Annie in her wheelchair in a Barbie box and smiling.⁣ ⁣ Annie in an orange swimsuit standing with her cane.⁣ ⁣ Annie in her wheelchair sits and smiles in front of a crystal patterned wall.⁣ ⁣ Annie stands in front of a door with a cane.⁣ ⁣ Annie sits in a chair swing wide legged and wearing a black skirt and #QueerandDisabled shirt, she is holding her cane.⁣ ⁣ Annie smiles sitting in front of a rainbow wall⁣ ⁣ Annie stands with her cane in front of a galaxy wall.⁣ ⁣ Annie wears a red and black coat in her wheelchair on a red carpet.] https://www.instagram.com/p/B6tNcFGgzig/?igshid=3f4ihaxd3o0p

[adventuresofarainbowcrip]

A queer dance party and sensory overload : one queer crip’s experience trying to break out of her comfort zone.

Written and posted on Thursday, March 24th, 2022

Content warning : this post contains descriptions of an environment that was very loud, descriptions of feeling overwhelmed and anxious, and also mentions people drinking alcohol. Don’t worry, nothing dangerous or unsafe. Just too much for me :)

Also, this post got kind of long, oops. I tried to keep it short but it’s still long. 

But first, some backstory. 

Before the pandemic, I told my mentor that I wanted to work more on going out to meet people. I also told her that I wanted to try to get into dating. I have never actually been on a date. I was in one relationship for about 5 months when I was a teenager (14) with my best friend (13) at the time. But unfortunately, we had to keep everything hidden from her mom. And when her mom did find out, she told us we couldn’t see each other any more. So I didn’t get to “go on dates” or express my love for this person in public. I didn’t get to call her my girlfriend or have any type of relationship conversations. We did have lots of wonderful, cute (and yes, consensual) naked kissy time together and for that I am extremely grateful :)

I’m pretty sure one of the main reasons her mom separated us is because I am physically disabled and my friend had learning disabilities. So basically a huge pile of ableism. Anyway, long story short, that experience was devastating for me and I let it bother me for a a long time. It was extremely hard for me to move forward emotionally and I held onto my sadness for the past until I was about 19 or 20. To be honest it still makes me sad sometimes, that the first and last time I was kissed and touched that way was half my life ago (I’m 31 now). 

Then, around that time, in my first few years of college, I began to open myself up just a little. I started to actually admit to myself when I saw people who I thought were attractive. My first term in college, at 19, I wrote a paper about sexuality and disability. It’s funny thinking about how I wrote that paper and then a couple of years later (in a Gender and Sexuality Studies class), I had this epiphany. We were reading about queer disabled people’s experiences and I kind of freaked out. I was like, “That is me. I am not straight and I am disabled.” I’ll write a post about coming out as queer and disabled because they were different for me. 

So yeah, then I went to college forever, and I got older. I became comfortable with using the word queer around the age of 25 and started exploring the connections between my disability and sexuality. And although I have become more confident in talking about the fact that I like girls, I still have never dated. I haven’t kissed someone since I was 14. I know you can hook up with people and have kissing and sexual experiences without being in a relationship, but I just don’t think that’s for me. I’m pretty sure I’d get too attached to people haha :P I’ve dipped my toe in online dating but it’s hard when you don’t match with people and can’t start a conversation. I also don’t like it because it feels like you judge people quickly with very little info. 

So back to the beginning of 2020. In January of that year, I was going to go to a queer speed dating event but it got cancelled the night of. So me and my mentor just went to a quiet bar and hung out for a bit. Then the pandemic happened and I just sort of gave up. I guess I felt like, “I’ve waited this long, I can wait longer.” Well here we are two years into this and I’m like, okay I need to start trying to “get out there.” 

So last week, I happened to randomly find a queer dance party on a Meetup group in my city. I told my new mentor about it and he said he would take me. I was nervous and excited. I got my hair cut before and had my outfit picked out a few days in advance. Even though I knew the event was going to be at a bar, I guess I pictured the dance party being like my high school proms or something. We showed up to the place, and within 30 seconds of being inside, I was doubting myself. It was so loud, I couldn’t hear myself think. It was also a small space and incredibly crowded. My mentor and I made it through a sea of people, some of them probably drunk, who did not know how to go around a walker. I’m actually glad I had my walker though, it helped protect me and serve as a barrier. If I would have used my canes, I could have easily fallen. 

They did not have any earplugs at the bar (I had forgotten mine) and they suggested we go to the gas station a block away. They were out of earplugs too. I cried because I thought I was going to have to “give up” and go somewhere else. It reminded me of the cancelled speed dating situation and I felt sad. Sad because I never “go out” and the one time I decide to, it’s too much. Sad because I didn’t really think about the reality of the event. Of course it’s going to be loud, it’s in a bar with a loud dance floor. 

My mentor suggested that maybe if I went out to the back patio, I could at least try to talk to some people. We made our way back through the drunk-people sea again to an outdoor patio. It was way less loud out there. They had a fire going. At first my mentor and I chatted a bit, and I ordered a non-alcoholic drink (I don’t drink, never have, high chance I never will). Then he said he was worried that people wouldn’t come talk to me if I was talking to him. So I moved over by the fire and he sat in the back and kept an eye on things. I told him earlier that it made me nervous to think that I’ll eventually have to do things like this by myself but then he pointed out that I could come with my friends. I definitely would not want to do things like this by myself.

I’m so glad he suggested going out to the patio. I did actually talk to some really nice people. And once I started talking to them, I felt less nervous. The truth is, I love talking to people (maybe too much haha) but I don’t usually go to events like this. I feel like I’m only used to talking to people in a college, teaching or friend context. Not an event with strangers. It is kind of interesting that two of the people I ended up talking to were disabled. One of them was a dancer at the bar, and he told me that he had cancer when he was 13 and they replaced the bones in his leg with titanium. He said he was glad the bar was accepting of him and still wanted to hire him. Then, a woman I talked to mentioned that she was disabled, when I was telling her I want to write an accessibility guide for travelling to France. She mentioned that she had an invisible disability and that people often told her that she didn’t “seem like” she had this disability. She later mentioned that she liked to watch autism videos on Tik Tok so I assume she was on the spectrum. She said this was her first time going out in about 5 years so then I felt less alone in that.

I wasn’t sure about how this was going to go at first. I have always been more sensitive to loud sounds because of CP and underdeveloped nervous system. I know I don’t like small crowded spaces because they are hard to navigate. But I am glad I went, if even to remind myself that next time I want to go to something mellower :) I am glad I got to talk to some people, talk a bit about disability, talk a tiny bit about the pressure to date and find a girlfriend. I am glad I got the chance to sit and just watch people too, including a few “hot babes” haha ;) I complimented people on their outfits. The nice guy I talked to said my outfit was fire. Someone said they liked my bag. And another person said my hair was cute. At the end of the night, my mentor said he was really proud of me. He said he “almost shed a tear” after watching me start talking to people and become more comfortable. 

To all you other queer crips out there : I am sending you love and strength. Do what makes you happy. Do things because you want to try them. Don’t go to an event just because you think you have to. I sort of felt that way. Like, this is how people meet right? They go out and go to bars. That’s what some people do. But it’s not really for me and that’s okay. Be yourself. Wear what makes you feel comfortable and good. If you go somewhere and it’s not your thing, that does not mean you “failed.” It means you know yourself, which is awesome. All night I was calling myself a “badass -B” because I was trying to feel courageous and proud of myself at the same time. And you know what? Those conversations and compliments I exchanged, and the fact that I gave the event a second try were all steps out of my comfort zone in some way, small or larger. Small steps are still steps.

See you in the next post!

Nirvana 

[thatjayjustice]

Today I'm exploring Austin (and eating lots of yummy Texas food) in my awesome T-shirt by @annieelainey ❤ Support one of my favorite people by visiting her shop & checking out her designs! https://www.teepublic.com/user/annieelainey #QueerAndDisabled #TheFutureIsAccessble #DisabledAndCute (at Austin, Texas)

[arfran]

#Repost @casadaptada • • • • • • #Repost @pride • • • • • • Pride is for all of us. It must be accessible. 🏳️‍🌈 ⠀ 📷 by @annieelainey. Rainbow skirt by @modcloth. ⠀ Image Description: Annie Segarra, creator of #TheFutureIsAccessible, sits in her wheelchair wearing a rainbow skirt, a navy blue shirt, and sunglasses. She's pictured outside in front of a door with a step leading up to it. Text on the door reads, "MAKE PRIDE ACCESSIBLE." ⠀ #pride #lgbtq #lgbt #lgbtqia #queer #disabled #queeranddisabled #queerwomen #lesbians #queerwomenofcolor #lesbianpride #prideparade #makeprideaccessible #globalgaygirlgang #loveislove #lovewins #inclusion #inclusionmatters #gayanddisabled #sapphicpride #girlswhokissgirls #girlswhodategirls #lovewins🌈 #loveislove🌈 #lgbtq🌈 #pride🌈 https://www.instagram.com/p/CCAUO0epJNx/?igshid=1up0gaboudcxl

[dandydoodlezart]

An important reminder that what might seem lazy or unnecessary to some, is a blessing for others 💜 #invisibledisability #disability #disabilityawareness #spoonie #spoonielife #digitalart #illustration #comic #cartoon #accessibility #me #ms #arthritis #eds #chronicillness #fibromyalgia #chronicpain #queerartist #queeranddisabled #food #shopping #art #quotes #bekind #doodle #chronicillnesswarrior #fatigue #daily #life #thoughtoftheday https://www.instagram.com/p/B8gP5rxAggO/?igshid=1j21ye6nv9937

[undefinedkosmos]

🏳️‍🌈I used up so many 🥄🥄 to have a perfectly grand time at #boulderpride today. My favorite time for people-watching. Best anecdote: the one with a cluster of roller derby ladies all asking if they could get a pic of my shirt! Time to collapse with an audiobook and recover now. Having #queerfamily fills my ❤️ with so many good things. #askmeaboutmypronouns #acepride #enbypride #queeranddisabled #asexualpride #transpride #spoonielife (at Boulder, Colorado)

[daqueeryt]

Meet Derek! https://youtu.be/jiuVaFvdqB4 #queeranddisabled #daqueer #queer #disability #ehlersdanlossyndrome #dermatillomania #ocd #autism #adhd #aphasia #fibromyalgia https://www.instagram.com/p/BumoWuunMAN/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=h2dixvetp18a

[autisticadvocacy]

Neurodivergent trans folks share their experiences and information about how to be more inclusive of us. #QueerAndDisabled

[annieelainey]

Finally got to watch #Euphoria and it is the kind of art I've always wanted to make. AND it has a #QueerandDisabled #WoC lead character 😭🙌🌌 [Image Description: a selfie of Annie where the room is lit dark blue in the background and edited in are flares of pink and purple. Glitter and sparkles in the shape of a splatter of tears on their cheeks] https://www.instagram.com/p/B1xRFB-gKoo/?igshid=1q5erkjl90qhp

[ogrefairy]

#CripplePunk portrait for @annieelainey !!

[image description: A digitial drawing of Annie Segarra, a brown skinned person with short black hair, sitting in her EZ lite power chair. She has merlot colored lip stain, and is wearing black pants and t-shirt with white text #QueerandDisabled, and a black faux leather jacket. There is an Art Nouveau style background in vibrant, bi flag colors and she has a circle of palm frawns behind her with more frawns in the corners.]

[viralhottopics]

This woman shared that she’s #DisabledAndCute. The internet reacted.

Keah Brown feels cute, and she’s not afraid to show it.

But for the 25-year-old from upstate New York, it hasn’t always been that way.

It took me a while to get to that place to feel any sort of positive thing about my physical appearance,” says Brown, who has cerebral palsy. “So now that I do, Im like, hey, I might as well celebrate it.

On Feb. 12, 2017, Brown shared photos of herself on Twitter using the hashtag #DisabledAndCute.

I want to shoutout my Disabled brothers, sisters, & non-binary folks! W/ #DisabledAndCute http://pic.twitter.com/Qcx5mvc1UI

Keah Brown (@Keah_Maria) February 12, 2017

The idea behind the hashtag was pretty simple.

What I wanted to do was make something that felt empowering to me and to other disabled people,” she explains.

The message caught on.

Others in the disability community started sharing photos of themselves using the hashtag, too.

#disabledandcute, howbow dah? http://pic.twitter.com/Hpmrbu70nn

Marina Carlos (@MarinaCpom) February 12, 2017

Before long, #DisabledAndCute became a trending phrase, with lots of people joining the conversation.

#DisabledandCute Shoutout to all my sisters out here http://pic.twitter.com/TXsEJHk6U6

Unruly (@Eliza_Heidi) February 12, 2017

“I wanted to do something to celebrate disabled folks and take the time to really take back the narrative that all we are is something to be pitied or used as what Id call, ‘inspiration porn,’ Brown says.

Inspiration porn, she notes, is “only being as valuable as what you can achieve or make able-bodied people feel about themselves.”

Did someone say #disabledandcute ? http://pic.twitter.com/rcv5bqunBJ

Ariana Ferrone (@ArianaWrites) February 12, 2017

The hashtag became intersectional, too, with people from all walks of life and various experiences chiming in.

#DisabledAndCute#DisabledYLatinx#QueerAndDisabled#DisabledNotVoldemort#SayTheWord http://pic.twitter.com/3AVMaNiYNL

Annie Segarra (@annieelainey) February 13, 2017

Sometimes, pets made appearances.

3 months post surgery #15 and 2 months post beating a near-fatal Staph Infection from surgery. I Look Cute! so does my cat #disabledandcute http://pic.twitter.com/6gI7AIIbZ9

LG (@lgrate1) February 12, 2017

But mostly, the hashtag filled up with selfies from folks who were feeling good about being themselves.

Oh well….hi. #disabledandcute http://pic.twitter.com/F53aNa2nnE

Tito (@TitoTitoq85) February 12, 2017

Its been overwhelmingly positive, Brown explains of responses to the hashtag although not everyone’s been on board.

Some voices in the disability community were critical of Brown’s choice of the word “cute,” she says, explaining that able-bodied people often talk down to folks who are living with a physical disability. When able-bodied people say things like, “You’re so adorable” to those living with a physical disability, it can be demeaning and infantilizing.

But that point wasn’t lost on Brown.

What I wanted to do was reclaim the word cute,” she says. “I think its OK when we feel cute, and its OK to say that.

I have mild cerebral palsy and mild scoliosis and I’m autistic and I think I sprained my leg today. #DisabledAndCute http://pic.twitter.com/QpBiE8iYPe

my leg hurts (@SmolGardner) February 12, 2017

“I generally dislike making human beauty the focus of any discussion,” one user wrote. “But why not celebrate?”

This #disabledandcute thing got me thinking. I generally dislike making human beauty the focus of any discussion… But why not celebrate? http://pic.twitter.com/9IPULVxqSW

Gaelynn Lea (@GaelynnLea) February 12, 2017

A lot of times specifically with social media disabled people are often used as memes or jokes,” says Brown.

“And this hashtag was a way to put that on its head and for people to tell their own story and celebrate themselves in a positive way.

#DisabledAndCute yes indeed thank you very much http://pic.twitter.com/8T3bXz0Fjx

Carrie Wade (@wadetheory) February 12, 2017

Scrolling through responses, you’ll notice #DisabledAndCute wasn’t so much about being “brave” it was about loving who you are…

Celebrating body positivity, acceptance, visibility & joy with #DisabledAndCute “you’re so brave” nah, I’m just dope http://pic.twitter.com/vcmnagyGTb

Danielle Perez (@DivaDelux) February 13, 2017

…and showing off fierce photos, too.

Here’s my fierce take on #DisabledAndCute http://pic.twitter.com/iZVYvlKUI9

alice wong (@SFdirewolf) February 13, 2017

Some people’s disabilities were more visible than others.

#DisabledAndCute I’m totally game. Mine is inside me, 4 surgeries so far STILL ALIVE HOMIES http://pic.twitter.com/mn57GZ272Q

Kimani Okearah (@theKimansta) February 12, 2017

But that wasn’t the point, either.

Hashtag love! Keep them coming #DisabledAndCute http://pic.twitter.com/K9hh8w5ZkN

Angel Dixon (@angeledendixon) February 13, 2017

“We are all hella #DisabledAndCute” was more what the hashtag was going for.

Today @Keah_Maria has me celebrating along with my disabled and non-binary siblings. We are all hella #DisabledAndCute http://pic.twitter.com/uoSs5F1X4V

Christian McMahon (@BionicTweed) February 12, 2017

And the internet pulled it off quite nicely.

me being #disabledandcute http://pic.twitter.com/bsAf8VZV2C

monique (@moniquekia_) February 12, 2017

Brown wants able-bodied people to understand she “doesn’t have to be your inspiration porn or your pity party to be good enough.”

But she’d appreciate your help in fighting for what’s right.

Disabled people “can have happy lives we can be loved,” she notes. “We dont need you to feel bad for us. It would be nice if you were in our corner when were fighting for our rights, but you dont have to feel bad for us, because were living full lives.

Check out more photos and join the discussion on #DisabledAndCute.

Read more: http://u.pw/2ofD9nk

from This woman shared that she’s #DisabledAndCute. The internet reacted.

[tragicbooks]

This woman shared that she's #DisabledAndCute. The internet reacted.

<br>

Keah Brown feels cute, and she's not afraid to show it.

But for the 25-year-old from upstate New York, it hasn't always been that way.

“It took me a while to get to that place to feel any sort of positive thing about my physical appearance," says Brown, who has cerebral palsy. "So now that I do, I’m like, hey, I might as well celebrate it.”

On Feb. 12, 2017, Brown shared photos of herself on Twitter using the hashtag #DisabledAndCute.

I want to shoutout my Disabled brothers, sisters, & non-binary folks! W/ #DisabledAndCute http://pic.twitter.com/Qcx5mvc1UI

— Keah Brown (@Keah_Maria) February 12, 2017

The idea behind the hashtag was pretty simple.

“What I wanted to do was make something that felt empowering to me and to other disabled people," she explains.

The message caught on.

Others in the disability community started sharing photos of themselves using the hashtag, too.

#disabledandcute, howbow dah? http://pic.twitter.com/Hpmrbu70nn

— Marina Carlos (@MarinaCpom) February 12, 2017

Before long, #DisabledAndCute became a trending phrase, with lots of people joining the conversation.

#DisabledandCute Shoutout to all my ♿️ sisters out here http://pic.twitter.com/TXsEJHk6U6

— Unruly ♿️ (@Eliza_Heidi) February 12, 2017

"I wanted to do something to celebrate disabled folks and take the time to really take back the narrative that all we are is something to be pitied or used as what I’d call, 'inspiration porn,'” Brown says.

Inspiration porn, she notes, is "only being as valuable as what you can achieve or make able-bodied people feel about themselves."

Did someone say #disabledandcute ? http://pic.twitter.com/rcv5bqunBJ

— Ariana Ferrone (@ArianaWrites) February 12, 2017

The hashtag became intersectional, too, with people from all walks of life and various experiences chiming in.

#DisabledAndCute#DisabledYLatinx#QueerAndDisabled#DisabledNotVoldemort#SayTheWord 🌈♿✊ http://pic.twitter.com/3AVMaNiYNL

— Annie Segarra (@annieelainey) February 13, 2017

Sometimes, pets made appearances.

3 months post surgery #15 and 2 months post beating a near-fatal Staph Infection from surgery. I Look Cute! so does my cat #disabledandcute http://pic.twitter.com/6gI7AIIbZ9

— LG (@lgrate1) February 12, 2017

But mostly, the hashtag filled up with selfies from folks who were feeling good about being themselves.

Oh well....hi. #disabledandcute 😎😂 http://pic.twitter.com/F53aNa2nnE

— Tito (@TitoTitoq85) February 12, 2017

“It’s been overwhelmingly positive,” Brown explains of responses to the hashtag — although not everyone's been on board.

Some voices in the disability community were critical of Brown's choice of the word "cute," she says, explaining that able-bodied people often talk down to folks who are living with a physical disability. When able-bodied people say things like, "You're so adorable" to those living with a physical disability, it can be demeaning and infantilizing.

But that point wasn't lost on Brown.

“What I wanted to do was reclaim the word ‘cute,’" she says. "I think it’s OK when we feel cute, and it’s OK to say that.”  

I have mild cerebral palsy and mild scoliosis and I'm autistic and I think I sprained my leg today. #DisabledAndCute http://pic.twitter.com/QpBiE8iYPe

— my leg hurts (@SmolGardner) February 12, 2017

"I generally dislike making human beauty the focus of any discussion," one user wrote. "But why not celebrate?"

This #disabledandcute thing got me thinking. I generally dislike making human beauty the focus of any discussion... But why not celebrate? 🎉 http://pic.twitter.com/9IPULVxqSW

— Gaelynn Lea (@GaelynnLea) February 12, 2017

“A lot of times — specifically with social media — disabled people are often used as memes or jokes," says Brown.

"And this hashtag was a way to put that on its head and for people to tell their own story and celebrate themselves in a positive way.”

#DisabledAndCute yes indeed thank you very much ♿️🤓🔥 http://pic.twitter.com/8T3bXz0Fjx

— Carrie Wade (@wadetheory) February 12, 2017

Scrolling through responses, you'll notice #DisabledAndCute wasn't so much about being "brave" — it was about loving who you are...

Celebrating body positivity, acceptance, visibility & joy with #DisabledAndCute "you're so brave" nah, I'm just dope http://pic.twitter.com/vcmnagyGTb

— Danielle Perez (@DivaDelux) February 13, 2017

...and showing off fierce photos, too.

Here's my fierce take on #DisabledAndCute http://pic.twitter.com/iZVYvlKUI9

— alice wong (@SFdirewolf) February 13, 2017

Some people's disabilities were more visible than others.

#DisabledAndCute I'm totally game. Mine is inside me, 4 surgeries so far 😷 😂🙊🙊🙌 STILL ALIVE HOMIES http://pic.twitter.com/mn57GZ272Q

— Kimani Okearah (@theKimansta) February 12, 2017

But that wasn't the point, either.

Hashtag love! Keep them coming ❤️ #DisabledAndCute http://pic.twitter.com/K9hh8w5ZkN

— Angel Dixon (@angeledendixon) February 13, 2017

"We are all hella #DisabledAndCute" was more what the hashtag was going for.

Today @Keah_Maria has me celebrating along with my disabled and non-binary siblings. We are all hella #DisabledAndCute http://pic.twitter.com/uoSs5F1X4V

— Christian McMahon (@BionicTweed) February 12, 2017

And the internet pulled it off quite nicely.

me being #disabledandcute http://pic.twitter.com/bsAf8VZV2C

— monique 🍓 (@moniquekia_) February 12, 2017

Brown wants able-bodied people to understand she "doesn't have to be your inspiration porn or your pity party to be good enough."

But she'd appreciate your help in fighting for what's right.

Disabled people "can have happy lives — we can be loved," she notes. "We don’t need you to feel bad for us. It would be nice if you were in our corner when we’re fighting for our rights, but you don’t have to feel bad for us, because we’re living full lives.”  

Check out more photos and join the discussion on #DisabledAndCute.

<br>

[socialviralnews]

This woman shared that she's #DisabledAndCute. The internet reacted.

<br>

Keah Brown feels cute, and she's not afraid to show it.

But for the 25-year-old from upstate New York, it hasn't always been that way.

“It took me a while to get to that place to feel any sort of positive thing about my physical appearance," says Brown, who has cerebral palsy. "So now that I do, I’m like, hey, I might as well celebrate it.”

On Feb. 12, 2017, Brown shared photos of herself on Twitter using the hashtag #DisabledAndCute.

I want to shoutout my Disabled brothers, sisters, & non-binary folks! W/ #DisabledAndCute http://pic.twitter.com/Qcx5mvc1UI

— Keah Brown (@Keah_Maria) February 12, 2017

The idea behind the hashtag was pretty simple.

“What I wanted to do was make something that felt empowering to me and to other disabled people," she explains.

The message caught on.

Others in the disability community started sharing photos of themselves using the hashtag, too.

#disabledandcute, howbow dah? http://pic.twitter.com/Hpmrbu70nn

— Marina Carlos (@MarinaCpom) February 12, 2017

Before long, #DisabledAndCute became a trending phrase, with lots of people joining the conversation.

#DisabledandCute Shoutout to all my ♿️ sisters out here http://pic.twitter.com/TXsEJHk6U6

— Unruly ♿️ (@Eliza_Heidi) February 12, 2017

"I wanted to do something to celebrate disabled folks and take the time to really take back the narrative that all we are is something to be pitied or used as what I’d call, 'inspiration porn,'” Brown says.

Inspiration porn, she notes, is "only being as valuable as what you can achieve or make able-bodied people feel about themselves."

Did someone say #disabledandcute ? http://pic.twitter.com/rcv5bqunBJ

— Ariana Ferrone (@ArianaWrites) February 12, 2017

The hashtag became intersectional, too, with people from all walks of life and various experiences chiming in.

#DisabledAndCute#DisabledYLatinx#QueerAndDisabled#DisabledNotVoldemort#SayTheWord 🌈♿✊ http://pic.twitter.com/3AVMaNiYNL

— Annie Segarra (@annieelainey) February 13, 2017

Sometimes, pets made appearances.

3 months post surgery #15 and 2 months post beating a near-fatal Staph Infection from surgery. I Look Cute! so does my cat #disabledandcute http://pic.twitter.com/6gI7AIIbZ9

— LG (@lgrate1) February 12, 2017

But mostly, the hashtag filled up with selfies from folks who were feeling good about being themselves.

Oh well....hi. #disabledandcute 😎😂 http://pic.twitter.com/F53aNa2nnE

— Tito (@TitoTitoq85) February 12, 2017

“It’s been overwhelmingly positive,” Brown explains of responses to the hashtag — although not everyone's been on board.

Some voices in the disability community were critical of Brown's choice of the word "cute," she says, explaining that able-bodied people often talk down to folks who are living with a physical disability. When able-bodied people say things like, "You're so adorable" to those living with a physical disability, it can be demeaning and infantilizing.

But that point wasn't lost on Brown.

“What I wanted to do was reclaim the word ‘cute,’" she says. "I think it’s OK when we feel cute, and it’s OK to say that.”  

I have mild cerebral palsy and mild scoliosis and I'm autistic and I think I sprained my leg today. #DisabledAndCute http://pic.twitter.com/QpBiE8iYPe

— my leg hurts (@SmolGardner) February 12, 2017

"I generally dislike making human beauty the focus of any discussion," one user wrote. "But why not celebrate?"

This #disabledandcute thing got me thinking. I generally dislike making human beauty the focus of any discussion... But why not celebrate? 🎉 http://pic.twitter.com/9IPULVxqSW

— Gaelynn Lea (@GaelynnLea) February 12, 2017

“A lot of times — specifically with social media — disabled people are often used as memes or jokes," says Brown.

"And this hashtag was a way to put that on its head and for people to tell their own story and celebrate themselves in a positive way.”

#DisabledAndCute yes indeed thank you very much ♿️🤓🔥 http://pic.twitter.com/8T3bXz0Fjx

— Carrie Wade (@wadetheory) February 12, 2017

Scrolling through responses, you'll notice #DisabledAndCute wasn't so much about being "brave" — it was about loving who you are...

Celebrating body positivity, acceptance, visibility & joy with #DisabledAndCute "you're so brave" nah, I'm just dope http://pic.twitter.com/vcmnagyGTb

— Danielle Perez (@DivaDelux) February 13, 2017

...and showing off fierce photos, too.

Here's my fierce take on #DisabledAndCute http://pic.twitter.com/iZVYvlKUI9

— alice wong (@SFdirewolf) February 13, 2017

Some people's disabilities were more visible than others.

#DisabledAndCute I'm totally game. Mine is inside me, 4 surgeries so far 😷 😂🙊🙊🙌 STILL ALIVE HOMIES http://pic.twitter.com/mn57GZ272Q

— Kimani Okearah (@theKimansta) February 12, 2017

But that wasn't the point, either.

Hashtag love! Keep them coming ❤️ #DisabledAndCute http://pic.twitter.com/K9hh8w5ZkN

— Angel Dixon (@angeledendixon) February 13, 2017

"We are all hella #DisabledAndCute" was more what the hashtag was going for.

Today @Keah_Maria has me celebrating along with my disabled and non-binary siblings. We are all hella #DisabledAndCute http://pic.twitter.com/uoSs5F1X4V

— Christian McMahon (@BionicTweed) February 12, 2017

And the internet pulled it off quite nicely.

me being #disabledandcute http://pic.twitter.com/bsAf8VZV2C

— monique 🍓 (@moniquekia_) February 12, 2017

Brown wants able-bodied people to understand she "doesn't have to be your inspiration porn or your pity party to be good enough."

But she'd appreciate your help in fighting for what's right.

Disabled people "can have happy lives — we can be loved," she notes. "We don’t need you to feel bad for us. It would be nice if you were in our corner when we’re fighting for our rights, but you don’t have to feel bad for us, because we’re living full lives.”  

Check out more photos and join the discussion on #DisabledAndCute.

<br> from Upworthy http://ift.tt/2kHgyvU via cheap web hosting

[dandydoodlezart]

Once they have come for our trans siblings, they will come for the rest. @stonewalluk #trans #transgender #transwoman #transrightsarehumanrights #humanrights #stonewall #gay #lesbian #bisexual #pansexual #nonbinary #genderqueer #asexual #demisexual #queer #queerart #lgbt #lgbtq🌈 #queeranddisabled #disabledqueer #spoonielife #socialactivism #protest https://www.instagram.com/p/B8RWiaYA_-N/?igshid=fni8bavm4mzj

[annieelainey]

29 and feeling fine! 28 was a huge year of self-discovery for me, and just like the rollercoaster that it was, I kind of can’t believe its over! ⁣ ⁣ If you asked me a year ago if I thought I was self-aware, I would’ve said yes, but now I humbly admit that I am in a constant state of transformation and reconnecting with myself. ⁣ ⁣ I can’t believe I’m 29. I don’t feel like I’m 29? A part of me feels like I’m 109, and the other feels like… or at least is longing to be… 19 again. ⁣ ⁣ 19 was a chaotically beautiful year because I hit rock bottom with my mental health and destructive behaviors but when you hit rock bottom there is no where to go but up; I began a healing journey that same year.⁣ ⁣ My birthday wishes for this year are to continue healing, learning, and growing. I hope to continue a journey of connecting with myself and with others. I hope to continue being of service as a creator and activist. I hope to not just survive but thrive.⁣ ⁣ And to outloud my current list of specific things I want for myself:⁣ ⁣ 1. Creating my #QueerandDisabled series⁣ 2. Hiring an assistant/caretaker⁣ 3. A beautiful wheelchair accessible van⁣ 4. Watching live shows (theatre, concerts) that inspire me⁣ 5. Finishing my first novel⁣ 6. A well-tailored suit that looks good both in my wheelchair and standing⁣ 7. Even MORE friend dates! 8. A WIFE⁣ 9. Traveling with the wife⁣ 10. Enough money to spread around⁣ ⁣ #DifferentAidsForDifferentDays #BabeWithAMobilityAid #CPunk #Disabled #Queer #Gay #Nonbinary #LGBT #Latina #Latinx #Leo #Virgo #Capricorn⁣ ⁣ [Image Description: an art edit of Annie with sleek hair and standing with a cane, dressed in red blazer, an upward arrow and the Capricorn symbol nearby. Then seated in her wheelchair with voluminous hair, wearing a gold button top and skirt, the sun and Venus symbols, and the Leo symbol nearby. Then seated on the floor with 2 braids and glasses, wearing a blue sweater, a moon symbol on the tablet and the Virgo symbol nearby] https://www.instagram.com/p/B1c7yBRgk4R/?igshid=19gckzmugifo