ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the various socio-cultural understandings of disabilities and their intersection with other identities. It looks at how these socio-cultural understandings shape lay views of the sexuality of people with disabilities. The chapter outlines traditional and existing constructions of people with disabilities as asexual, or as sexually disinhibited and 'dangerous'. It outlines how constructions of otherness, such as genetic impurity, have often been used to justify oppressive practices like involuntary sterilization. The chapter explores the discussion on sexuality further, but what is important for our purposes is that such constructions about what is acceptable and unacceptable or what is 'normal' and 'abnormal' when it comes to sex and sexuality have a significant impact on the oppression and experience of people with disabilities. It provides an introductory discussion of these constructions, focusing specifically on what they mean for sexuality and sexual health.
