Episode 6 - Bridging Worlds: Queer Disability Activism in Japan, China, and Taiwan

In this episode of the Disability and Sexuality Lab Podcast, we speak with Shanshan Ouyang, a Chinese graduate student at Ritsumeikan University in Japan, whose research explores the intersection of disability and LGBTQ+ activism across East Asia.

Shanshan takes us on a deeply personal and political journey—from filming a documentary on coming out in China to discovering the invisibility of disabled queer identities in LGBTQ+ spaces. We discuss how cultural taboos, inaccessible queer venues, and a lack of representation in manga and media shape the lived experiences of disabled LGBTQ+ individuals in China and Japan. Shanshan also highlights the challenges of applying Western theories like crip theory in non-Western contexts, and how countries like Taiwan are creating more flexible, culturally responsive care systems for disabled people of diverse gender and sexual identities.

From navigating Pride events in inaccessible spaces to building cross-cultural connections through social media and research, Shanshan offers thought-provoking insights on the importance of visibility, culturally situated activism, and social accessibility. The conversation ends with a powerful reflection on the slogan “Nothing About Us Without Us” and a vision for a more inclusive, individually responsive world.

Tune in for a compelling episode that reminds us of the global dimensions of disability and sexuality and the need for locally grounded, intersectional scholarship and activism.