Sex-positive party geared to people with disabilities

A party meant to give people with disabilities a chanceto explore and express their sexuality is shining a spotlight on anenduring and often ignored barrier for those with physical andmental limitations.

But though guests at the Deliciously Disabled party, to be heldin Toronto next week, are free to act on their consensual desires,don't call it an orgy.

"An orgy is when everybody comes together and has sextogether," said Fatima Mechtab, one of the event's organizers. "This is a sex-positive play party."

"The difference is that people can attend the event but theydon't have to participate if they don't want to they can bevoyeurs, they can enjoy it like you would enjoy any other type ofparty... but then there's the added bonus of being able to beintimate with your partner or explore some sexual activity if youwant to."

The Aug. 14 event, a masquerade that will take place in awheelchair-accessible theatre, is believed to be the first of itskind in Canada.

Most discussions on accessibility focus on physical barriers, butthe event's organizers said it's also important to look at theemotional and social hurdles that people with disabilities face,such as the widespread belief that they aren't sexual beings.

"Access (to sexuality) is such a major barrier for people withdisabilities I don't think there's any other group in societythat, depending on the level of their physical limitation, can'teven pleasure themselves sexually," said Stella Palikarova, adisability awareness consultant.

"You can imagine trying to go through life being completelyunable to have any sort of sexual relief or even to think that youare perceived by others as being sexually desirable or a sexualperson," said Palikarova, who uses a wheelchair.

"That becomes a really major human rights issue for me."

Palikarova, Mechtab and Andrew Morrison-Gurza, another disabilityawareness consultant, began planning the event several months agobut struggled to find an appropriate venue.

Mechtab, who works at the Toronto sex club Oasis Aqualounge,initially suggested holding it there, but quickly realized thehistoric building isn't wheelchair accessible.

Finding a location that was both accessible and allowed nudityand sex proved a challenge, she said.

The group eventually booked the Buddies in Bad Times theatre, notfar from Oasis. The space can hold 125 people including roughly 25wheelchairs. Tickets are $20 each.

Personal support workers can attend for free, and there will beinterpreters for the hearing impaired.

The event is set to take place during the Parapan Am Games, whichbegan Friday and ends next weekend. The international competition hasdrawn more than 1,000 athletes with disabilities to the Torontoregion.

Palikarova said the timing isn't purely coincidental.

Ties in with Parapan Am Games

"Some of the athletes perhaps might be interested in coming toan event like this," she said.

As buzz around the event grows, a spokeswoman with the Council ofCanadians With Disabilities said the issue the party seeks tohighlight is an important one.

"The reality is that we are sexual beings," said vice-chairPath Danforth. "It's an issue that remains seldom talked about,which I find quite bizarre."

Danforth, who uses a wheelchair, said she's met a number ofindividuals with significant disabilities who've told her "no oneever gave them permission before to be sexual."

"With this event, one of the things it will do is it will givepeople permission to have an opportunity to explore their ownsexuality," she said. "If it's in such a way that it'sdemonstrating a healthy take on sexuality, then that's a good thing.

It makes people aware and it makes some people less uncomfortable."