In her article, "Disability, Sex Radicalism, and Political Agency," Abby Wilkerson discusses society's sexual restraints assigned to disabled people. She shares examples that demonstrate the ways in which people with disabilities are discriminated against sexually. Wilkerson proves that the general consensus in our society and in the medical world is that people with disabilities should be discouraged from being sexually active.
Wilkerson also explains the ways in which sexual oppression is applied to people in our culture, forcing people to attempt to conform to what is viewed as "normal" sexuality. Wilkerson writes that minorities and social outcasts are most affected by sexual oppression because they are already at a disadvantage. For example, she quotes Gayle Rubin as saying that the supposedly dominant part of society, such as wealthy, white males, are less affected by "sexual stratification" than people who are viewed as having a lower social status, such as poor, black females. Wilkerson explains that sexual oppression is not only applicable to gender differences, but also different classes and races.
In the excerpt "Sexual Thoughts" by Gayle Rubin, the author identifies the ways in which sexuality is viewed by society. She explains that the way people behave sexually can depend on the ideals, morals, and general beliefs that dominate our culture. Rubin tells us that sex can be viewed as an unchanging, constant force that had an important role in our history and the way we function. She discusses a "sexual hierarchy" in which people are ranked according to sexual value, with married, heterosexual couples dominating the pyramid. This ranking system demonstrates the ignorance that flows through society.
How much would the morality of disabled people improve if sex was not discouraged or looked down on? Why are sexual deviants outcasted in a way that portrays them as a lower class? If people weren't ranked according to the sexual hierarchy, would other prejudices, such as racism, diminish as well? How can people be classified as "low" on the pyramid of sexual value if they are considered to be upper class in other systems of ranking?
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