#DisabledPeopleAreHot campaign finds many takers on social media

Social media has emerged as a popular platform for many groups to voice their rights and that is true for the disabled community too. From Instagram to Twitter, social media platforms offer unique, interesting ways to showcase opinions and strengths.

A recent campaign in that line is called #DisabledPeopleAreHot and it has many people across the globe talking. It has been started by Andrew Guzra, a disability rights advocate and member of the gay rights community.

Gurza, who has cerebral palsy wants to show the world that beauty has many faces beyond the conventional and that it is not defined by disability. His campaign is catching up at a fast pace, especially amongst the disabled gay community.

Vihaan Peethambar is a transgender activist and board member of Queerala, a Kochi based LGBTIQA+ organization.

It is a bitter truth that in India, discourses on people with disabilities as people with equal rights and aspirations for sexual pleasure, intimacy, love, friendship, relationships and reproductive choices gets overlooked. In the last three years, progression of diversity and inclusion initiatives, both in public and private sectors have provided space to hold dialogues on disabled people in the country. Inter-movement alliances between LGBTIQA+ and disability rights activism have also been crucial in promoting dialogue on sexual and gender minorities who are persons with disabilities. Campaigns like #DisabledPeopleAreHot are helpful to break the silence or ignorance on disabled people as sexual beings. – Vihaan Peethambar, Transgender activist

This is not the first time that Gurza is doing something for the disabled community. In 2015, he launched the #DeliciouslyDisabled campaign where disabled people from the gay community could come together at an event and express their love for each other. Gurza has many such projects lined up too.

Over the past few weeks, disabled social media users are posting images with the hasthtag #DisabledPeopleAreHot.

“I am 26 and have mild cerebral palsy. My balance issues will always be prevalent, and people assume I get “scared” easily because I get jumpy. It’s my cerebral palsy’s natural reaction. XD”, tweeted Marcus Flak.

“I am in serious pain most of the time and have a permanent limp, but I still have a love of fashion and self expression! Disabled and attractive are not mutual exclusive – all bodies are beautiful, even if they aren’t what you consider normal #DISABLEDPEOPLEAREHOT”, tweeted Jehan.

Do not miss to check out his campaign.

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