Ability’s Muse: The right to love

Columns January 23, 2013

It may not be something we think of often, if at all. The right to love can be assumed as a right we all are given: it’s so inherent why would anyone even question an individual’s right to love, be loved, or have children? When someone is denied their right to express their sexuality, they are denied their status as a human being. It’s a cruel thing to do; yet, it’s done every day.

People with (dis)abilities can love sex as much as any other person. When I say (dis)abilities, I mean that without exception. It’s appalling to see anyone denied their right to date or to see people make mistakes in the process of caring and loving others due to the structure of inaccessibility that is imposed by our society.

I refuse to sit back and be told that because I have a mental illness, I should never have children. I am just as able as any other to conceive a child.

Why would it ever be acceptable to tell someone that you don’t approve of them procreating because they will have “messed up children” or be a drain on society?

Deny anyone the right to love, to choose who to love, to express sexuality in a healthy way, or the right to do as one chooses with their body, and you deny your fellow being a right to be just that: your fellow being.