The new play, (We indulge in ) a bit of roll play, will have an exclusive run at Tramway in Glasgow, Scotland. Produced by Birds of Paradise Theatre Company, the play is designed to provoke frank discussions around sex and disability to counter narratives around disabled people needing charity or pity, and instead show lives that are complex and nuanced. Softley Gale, who co-wrote the play which he is also directing said, “We don’t see a lot of disabled characters full stop. Seeing them having respectful, enjoyable sex is almost unheard of. By doing that in the ways that we do, we’re being quite provocative.” he says.
Society’s disregard of the sexuality of the disabled community can have a negative effect on disabled individuals. A study regarding sex and relationship education for individuals with disabilities points out that not only does the lack of sex education infantilize the individual but also puts individuals at risk of sexual assault. In another study, the lack of sex education and contraception use finds that adult women with disabilities are more likely to experience unintentional pregnancies compared to women without disabilities. Similarly, young people with life-shortening conditions who were not expected to live to adulthood have generally not been given information and support regarding intimacy and relationships. Now that these individuals are living longer lives, they are lacking support when they start to think about sexual relationships.
