The Politics of Disability

In celebration of both Black History Month in February and Women's History Month in March, Mary put together this conversation series. During the final interview of the series, Mary talks with Keri Gray of the Keri Gray Group and the NAMED Advocates. The two discuss the gap between social justice and Disability Justice, how to close the gap, Black Disabled Lives Matter, and what it's lik...

In this episode, Mary sits down with drag performer and Drag Queen of the Year pageant contestant, Charles Galin. The two discuss Charles' pageant experience, virtual drag, why they choose to continue to mask in public spaces, lack of general accessibility in the world, and more. You can follow Charles on social media here . Production note: Mary's microphone was glitching at some points...

Mary continues her conversation Season 5, All Stars 2 contestant of RuPaul's Drag Race, Detox for The Politics of Disability Pride series. The two discuss continue their discussion on what it will take to bridge the gap between the LGBTQIA+ community and the disabled/chronically ill community, the rise, fall, and possible revival of virtual drag shows, building community during the pandemic,...

In part one of the second interview for The Politics of Disability Pride series, Mary sits down with Season 5, All Stars 2 contestant of RuPaul's Drag Race, Detox. The two discuss what it will take to bridge the gap between the LGBTQIA+ community and the disabled/chronically ill community, advocacy, anti-trans legislation, and more. Episode content warning: Mentions of ableism, mild adult lan...

Mary continues her conversation with Season 12 contestant of RuPaul's Drag Race and the national co-chair of Drag Out The Vote, Brita Filter for The Politics of Disability Pride series. The two discuss anti-LGBGTQIA+ legislation, voting, lack of access to voting, lack of accessible social media, and more. Drag Out The Vote is a nonpartisan, nonprofit that works with drag performers to promote...

In part one of the initial interview for The Politics of Disability Pride series, Mary sits down with Season 12 contestant of RuPaul's Drag Race and the national co-chair of Drag Out The Vote, Brita Filter. The two discuss mental health, advocacy, voting, voting rights, Pride, the lack of accessibility when it comes to Pride events, and more. Drag Out The Vote is a nonpartisan, nonprofit that...

In celebration of both Black History Month in February and Women's History Month in March, Mary put together this conversation series. During the second interview of the series, Mary continues her conversation with Stacey Abrams' former press secretary, Jaylen Black. The two discuss advocacy, voting rights, lack of access to basic needs such as food and shelter, the intersection of faith...

In celebration of both Black History Month in February and Women's History Month in March, Mary put together this conversation series. During the second interview of the series, Mary talks with Stacey Abrams' former press secretary, Jaylen Black. The two discuss how disability is viewed in the Black community, intersectionality, the disconnect between social and Disability Justice, and f...

In celebration of both Black History Month in February and Women's History Month in March, Mary has put together this conversation series. She continues her conversation with Alison  Mariella Désir in part two of this compelling interview. They discuss what it means to be multi-marginalized in the Black community, how disability is viewed in the Black community, the pandemic, and more. Alison...

In celebration of both Black History Month in February and Women's History Month in March, Mary has put together this conversation series. She sits down with Alison Mariella Désir in part one of their conversation to discuss her book, Running While Black , the thought behind it, what running while Black means to her, the implications the book has had and the disconnect between social justice...

In this season 2 bonus episode, Mary sits down with RuPaul's Drag Race season 11 finalist, host of Canada's Drag Race and executive producer/host of 1 Queen, 5 Queers, Brooke Lynn Hytes. The two discuss the differences in perceptions of disability in Canada and the United States, disabled representation in the Drag Race ecosystem and the lack thereof. Will there ever be a more accessible...

In part two of this episode, Mary continues her conversation with friend Christophe Desorbay. The two discuss Mary’s acting aspirations, the lack of representation on Broadway, auditioning for a Broadway role as some who is hard of hearing, and more.  Christophe Desorbay is Franco-American producer and artist living in NYC. He currently works at Range Media Partners, finding the ways that theater...

In part one of this episode, Mary sits down with her friend Christophe Desorbay about his experience as a artist, the ableism hard of hearing/Deaf performers on Broadway face, and more. Christophe Desorbay is Franco-American producer and artist living in NYC. He currently works at Range Media Partners, finding the ways that theater can successfully interact with Film and & TV. Christophe is al...

Mary continues her conversation with founder and president of Row House Publishing, Rebekah Borucki. The two discuss accessibility, the disability tax, ableism and whether there is or will be a shift in representation in the publishing industry. Rebekah “Bex” Borucki (she/they) is a mother-to-five, self-help and children's author, and the Founder and President of Row House Publishing, Wheat P...

Mary talks with founder and president of Row House Publishing, Rebekah Borucki about the lack of marginalized representation, particularly disabled representation in the publishing world, what needs to happen in order to change that, and how important access to books is for children (and everyone). Rebekah “Bex” Borucki (she/they) is a mother-to-five, self-help and children's author, and the...

Mary and Love continue their conversation as they dive into why Love created "Ableism Fridays," being an educator, the pandemic, and mental health. Love is a disabled Black and Jewish Higher Education administrator and educator. Love has led numerous trainings on creating inclusive communities and addressing internal and external biases. ⠀ Love currently runs an Instagram account that fo...

In part one of this episode, Mary and educator Love Wallace discuss the nuances and complexities surrounding intersectionality. They also talk about Love's experiences as a Black, Jewish, disabled woman and why it's difficult to get every part of her identity recognized by some. Love is a disabled Black and Jewish Higher Education administrator and educator. Love has led numerous trainin...

In the second part of the season 2 premiere, Mary sits down continues her conversation with fellow disability advocate Nina Tame. The two discuss advocacy burnout, the pandemic, mental health, and Nina delivers her message to the non-disabled community. Nina Tame is a disability advocate, writer, and content creator from the UK. She uses her Instagram account to debunk outdated societal myths abou...

Content warning: Some mild language and mentions of ableism In the first part of the season 2 premiere, Mary sits down with fellow disability advocate Nina Tame to discuss her disability journey, how having a disabled child helped her find beauty in her own disability, being a disabled parent to both disabled and non-disabled children, and the misconceptions she faces from the non-disabled communi...

Content warning: Explicit language and mentions of both ableism and racism In the last part of the season one finale, Mary and Catalina discuss how Catalina's term "diversity burrito" came about, what it means, ableism and  racism in the workplace, the pandemic, and how Black advocates/activists paved the way for disabled advocates/activists. Born in Medellin, Colombia and raised in...

Content warning: Explicit language and mentions of ableism In the first part of the season one finale, Mary and Catalina discuss ableism in academia, the dance world and Disability Justice. Born in Medellin, Colombia and raised in Fairfield County, Connecticut, Catalina earned a BA in Psychology at Western Connecticut State University in 2011 and completed all coursework for MS degrees in Psycholo...

On Friday, July 8, 2022, Mary sat down with Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams for a one on one discussion about issues that directly impact the disabled community. The two discussed the lack of affordable, accessible housing, voter suppression, health care, myths surrounding Medicaid expansion, and more. Leader Abrams' plans for the state of Georgia are further described on her we...

Content warning: Mentions of racism, ableism,  suicidal ideation In part 2 of their conversation, Mary and Emee discuss growing up in Middle Eastern families, not being "American enough," Emee's style, COVID and mental health. Emee is a disabled fiction and non-fiction writer, vintage jewelry maker, and business owner. She has thirteen chronic illnesses and is neurodivergent. She ai...

Mary is joined by Emee for this episode. In part one of this interview, the two talk disability, chronic illness, going undiagnosed and the gaslighting they've both dealt with in medical settings. Emee is a disabled fiction and non-fiction writer, vintage jewelry maker, and business owner. She has thirteen chronic illnesses and is neurodivergent. She aims to build a life that is a culmination...

Content warning: Mentions of natural disasters, death of a pet, ableism, COVID Mary and Jocy continue their conversation during the second part of this interview. They discuss disabled and chronically ill individuals being left behind/forgotten during natural disasters, ableism in the education system, COVID, and more. Jocelyn Mondragon, also known as Jocy is dedicated to building community by sha...