Disabled Sex and the Movies

Authors

  • Leslie Harris

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18061/dsq.v22i4.378

Abstract

The mass media play an important role in socialisation and influence the construction of meaning. They shape the way people perceive the world around them. Many people have no contact with disabled people so gain their knowledge of disability from the mass media. It therefore becomes important understand how the media shape reality. This paper uses aspects of semiotics to examine the construction of meaning and some of the signs, symbols, and icons of disability imagery with particular emphasis on the intersection of sexuality and disability on the silver screen. Comparisons are drawn between negative and positive portrayals of sex involving disabled characters. Adult videos produced specifically for the devotee market are contrasted with those produced for a wider audience.

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Published

2002-10-15

How to Cite

Harris, L. (2002). Disabled Sex and the Movies. Disability Studies Quarterly, 22(4). https://doi.org/10.18061/dsq.v22i4.378