S2: E28: Leave your Ableism outside the Bedroom with Andrew Gurza

CW:  This episode contains strong language and themes of a sexual manner.

"I know what you already think about me. I know that you think I'm.. you know.. less than.  I know you think I'm not viable... for Queer men," says Andrew Gurza talking about reclaiming the word Cripple.

But, you don't get to define Andrew Gurza, our Guest today on Hey, Cis! 

As we approach the end of Season 2, we are talking all about ableism, the 'power of being crippled' and breaking down stigma by talking about what matters.

Andrew Gurza is an award-winning Disability Awareness Consultant and the Chief Disability Officer and Co-founder of Bump’n, a sex toy company for and by disabled people. Andrew uses they/he pronouns and identifies proudly as disabled. He has spoken all over the world on sex, disability and what it means to be a Queer Cripple.  

Their work has been featured on BBC, CBC, Daily Xtra, Gay Times UK, Huffington Post, The Advocate, Everyday Feminism, Mashable, Out.com, and several anthologies.  He was the subject of an award winning National Film Board of Canada Documentary “Picture This”.  

In addition to those accolades, Andrew is also the host of Disability After Dark: The Podcast Shining a Bright Light on Disability Stories, which won a Canadian Podcast Award in 2021. Disability After Dark was a Queerty Award nominee, and was chosen as an Honoree at the 2020 Webby Awards. 

The show is available on all platforms. Andrew is also the creator of the viral hashtag #DisabledPeopleAreHot. 

VLOG Post

We took the conversation and spoke with Rachele Manett (They/She) of Venus Envy. Head over to our blog to hear a behind-the-scenes interview with Rachele Mannett of Venus Envy where Rachele shares with Cyn in an video interview, inclusive books including one co-authored by Andrew Gurza and information about the intersectional barriers experienced by LGBTQ+ people living with a disability.

You can find out more about Andrew by visiting www.andrewgurza.com and connecting via social media @andrewgurza1  

Hey, Cis! is a beyond binary conversation in being a better human.

We are about current affairs and gender-based issues affecting trans and non-binary youth, students and adults within our Maritime community.

We take on difficult topics; (and this week it is a difficult topic), breaking us out of the binary, smashing stigma and fostering greater connection between our cisgender community and trans, gender creative and non-binary community.

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Credits

Hey, Cis! is hosted by Cyn Sweeney (She/Her) and Isaac Cook (He/They).

Cyn is a cis, straight beyond binary educator and author focusing on 'beyond binary' inclusion and breaking heteronormative and cisnormative practices.  As a storyteller and community writer Cynthia is inspired by peoples stories - and listening fully. In her late 20s she felt insulted to be described as a 'bull in china shop,' when it came to pushing barriers and cutting through red tape. More than two decades on, she realizes it's served as one of her best assets in role-modelling for her 3 children and family.

Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Isaac Cook is a transgender, non-binary, queer person with a passion for making change. With a degree in Linguistics and Criminology, Isaac has more than six years of communications, marketing and web development experience with a particular passion forSTEM- focused and non-profit organizations. Outside of his work with Cyn at Si