Hi Joy,

I identify as a feminist.  I've never had any problems being accepted by other
feminists (not b/c of my disability anyway- our politics have clashed occasionally!)
 When I was active in the women's lib. movement in Melbourne, there were a few
other women involved who used wheelchairs or crutches, so accessibility was
always on the top of the agenda for meetings, forums etc.  I do know that some
of the wheelchair users resented the fact that they were the only ones who ever
brought it up- ie that if they hadn't have been on the committe, it would have
gone ahead and organised events in no-accessible venues, etc etc.  And I have
friends who talk about being "double oppressed (ie as women AND disabled)- make
that triple or quadruple if you happen to be not white, not heterosexual or
whatever.  But I always found that it was more important to be united in our
common goals and beliefs, and I didn't get into trying to prove that I had it
harder than anyone else.

I'll keep thinking on it and get back to you.


Emma


>Hi guys,
>
>I'm writing a paper for my women's studies class about feminism and
>disability.  Do any of you identify as feminists?  Have you had difficulty

>being accepted within the mainstream feminist movement?  What
>concerns/problems do you think women with disabilities are dealing with that

>are not considered or adequately dealt with by "normal" feminists?
>
>Feel free to add anything else about your own experience or knowledge,
>whether it's based on books, articles, or stories from friends.  Also, I'd

>appreciate it if you'd forward this to anyone you know who might have
>information.  Sorry for using you guys like this, but this list is such a
>great resource!  There's just not enough material out there on this topic...

>
>Thanks so much for your help!
>
>~Joy~
>