Hi everyone, our small collective of volunteers has been working hard to revitalize CDSA. As we move forward, we want to make sure past, current, and future members have a chance to share their perspectives about the future of our Canadian Disability Studies Association. Link: tinyurl.com/cdsa2026

What an incredible gathering at our last conference! 🌟 A huge thank you to everyone who attended and made this event possible.

Make sure to register!

On vacation mode.

Being Called “Ugly” Multiple Times and My Reflections on Sexual Capital alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/being-call...

We asked, you delivered… and let’s just say the response blew us away. Any guesses on how many abstracts came in for the Disability, Sexuality, and the Power to Disrupt (2026) conference? Drum roll…

A more vulnerable piece. I’ve been thinking a lot about how hard it can be to say no, even when we know we have every right to. It’s something that came up in a disability and dating workshop I recently facilitated. alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/why-saying...

Our Disability & Sexuality Lab is proud to co-host #EmbracingSexualPleasure: A virtual event highlighting pleasure in sexual health conversations. I’ll be speaking about crip desires and expanding the erotic imagination. Details & registration: tgeea.org.tw/event/confer...

Working as a sociologist in a school of medicine has shown me the power of collaboration. I bring new perspectives, my colleagues share their expertise, and together we create knowledge that neither of us could produce alone. alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/the-beauty...

This summer, I had the privilege of supervising two outstanding high school students. They joined our Disability and Sexuality Lab and wrote a thoughtful blog post reflecting on their experiences. Their words reminded me of the excitement that comes at the very beginning of a research journey.

Publishing disability scholarship beyond disability studies is challenging. It takes extra work to make the case, but it also expands who engages with our ideas and creates opportunities for new collaborations. alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/the-challe...

Call for Presentation Abstracts! Join us for the Sexuality, Disability, and the Power to Disrupt 2026 Conference (Feb 13-14, 2026). Submit your abstract by Oct 15, 2025. Everyone is welcome to submit an abstract. Use the QR code or visit www.disabilitysexualitylab.com/conference-2... to learn more.

Being a sexualities scholar means people assume two things: 1. I’ve tried every sex act known to humankind. 2. I’m available 24/7 for relationship advice. Only one of those is true. alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/from-weird...

Thinking of editing a book or special issue? It can be incredibly rewarding—but also a ton of (often invisible) work. I wrote a blog post about the joys, the chaos, and what I wish I knew before starting. alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/the-joys-a...

A short email saying “I loved your piece” can mean more than you think. In academia, small acts of recognition go a long way. Tell people when their work moves you. It might make their day—and yours. The Beauty of Recognizing Each Other’s Work alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/the-beauty...

New roundtable piece out in DiGeSt: "Turning the Table: Rethinking Sexuality Education for 2SLGBTQ+ Disabled People." We explore how a crip lens can radically reshape how we think about sex, pleasure, and desire for everyone. Link: www.digest.ugent.be/article/id/9...

Let’s stop measuring sex by performance, firmness, or finish lines. “Cripping” sex can help us move from pressure to pleasure (for everyone). Less Pressure, More Pleasure. alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/less-press...

“How do you decide where to submit your papers?” I get this question a lot, so I wrote a short blog post about my process. From choosing a journal early on to intentionally stepping outside disability journals to reach new audiences. alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/how-i-choo...

Mariah Carey doesn’t acknowledge time. She’s eternally 12. Famously late. Slow to release albums. And every Nov 1st, she decides it’s Christmas. As a critical disability scholar, I see it: Mariah is a theorist of crip time. alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/theorizing...

You don’t need to apply for everything—be strategic. Focus on the awards and funding that align with your goals and are worth your time. But don’t let fear be the reason you don’t apply. Prioritize, yes—but show up for the ones that matter. alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/heard-abou...

Post-Tenure Life, Entry 4 - Taking More Intellectual Risks: The Projects I’m Working on Now alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/post-tenur...

Post-Tenure Life, Entry 3 - Letting Go of the Tenure Grind Mentality alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/post-tenur...

New episode of the Disability & Sexuality Lab Podcast! We’re chatting with Dr. Patsie Frawley (@UNSW) about smashing the stigma around intellectual disability and sexuality and embracing pleasure and intimacy. #DisabilitySexuality #InclusiveResearch #Podcast open.spotify.com/episode/2iW8...

Then, Alan Santinele Martino, Thomas Tri, Rachell Trung, and Oscar E. Hughes explore how to center #disabled people as experts in their own sexual lives and desire in #research and conversations about #sexuality. @alansmartino.bsky.social doi.org/10.1177/3033...

🎙️ Season 2 of the Disability and Sexuality Lab Podcast is here! Join Dr. Alan Martino and guests from around the globe for raw, real conversations that confront ableism and challenge taboos. 🎧 Listen now! dissexlab.podbean.com

Giving a talk in Edmonton on Monday. Of course, Mariah Carey will be part of it. 🌈

Sad, sad times.

I asked Chat GPT about its impression of me and this is what I got: "So, in short: you’re a queer, crip academic force of nature—with heart, humor, and a deep sense of purpose."

Automatic email response is ON!

Are you a disabled current or former OnlyFans content creator living in Canada? We want to hear from you! Join a 1-hr interview study about your experiences. Participants will be compensated. Contact: [email protected]

I have seriously, finally, decided to prioritize my health and wellbeing. Social world, please expect to hear more no's from me from now on. The rhythm I was moving in before is just not sustainable. My mind and body are telling me (desperately) to slow down and I must listen to them.

So excited to see more accessible sexual health resources coming out! 🚨 New sexual health resources for youth with physical disabilities by sieccan.bsky.social 🔗 Find them here: sieccan.org/ady-pdyouth-infosheets

Check out our latest blog post section at the Disability and Sexuality Lab website! From tips on making online dating more accessible to must-listen podcasts and advice on keeping dates inclusive, we've got you covered! 💜✨ 👉 www.disabilitysexualitylab.com/blog-1-1 #DisabilityAndSexuality

🎙️ New episode of the Disability & Sexuality Lab podcast is live! In Episode 3, Dr. Robert McRuer, Professor at George Washington University, joins us to discuss #CripTheory and its impact. Don't miss this insightful conversation! 🔊 Listen now: dissexlab.podbean.com/e/episode-3-...

Bitter, sweet, and incredibly proud all at once. Watching students graduate—those who became true collaborators, co-authors, and friends—is a reminder that letting go is an act of love. They’re ready to spread their wings. alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/the-art-of...

🚨 Myth-busting time! 🚨 It's time to debunk common misconceptions about supporting Autistic individuals when it comes to sexuality. Check out our new guide for caregivers and let's start having the right conversations!

Yay! So proud of this piece written with community partners (Inclusion Lethbridge and Skipping Stone) in Alberta.

🎉🎂 Happy 2nd birthday to the Disability and Sexuality Lab! 🥳 We're celebrating two years of groundbreaking research, collaboration, and advocacy. Grateful for all the amazing work we've done together and excited for the future ahead! #DisabilityAndSexuality #InclusiveResearch #Celebration 🎉🎉

Had a fun time talking to students today about disability and online dating. Received the perfect gift afterwards.

Finished the slides for my presentation on the intersections of disability studies and cute studies. Super pumped!

It breaks my heart to see Gender Studies programs under attack across Canada—when their intersectional lens is so needed. This field saved my life, gave me language for my queerness, and showed that knowledge must fuel action. alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/heartbreak...

Join us for an exciting webinar on Feb 20, 2025, at 1 PM! 🚨 "Cripping" Sex Education: Co-Creating Through Inclusive and Creative Approaches. Register here: ucalgary.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Why are we so damn afraid of saying ‘sex’ when talking about disability? In my new post, I dive into the power of honest dialogue—and why skirting the word ‘sexuality’ hurts us all. Let’s bring it into the light! #Disability #Sexuality #Inclusion alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/why-are-we...

@MariahCarey themed cake with edible paper butterflies and a cool T-shirt. Perfect bday! 🎂

🎧 Episode 1 of the Disability and Sexuality Lab Podcast is live! Join Dr. Chelsea Jones & Fran Odette as we dive into disability, sexuality, & more. No topic off limits! 🌍💬 Tune in now: open.spotify.com/episode/24UC... 🎙️ #DisabilityAndSexuality #CripSexEducation #DisabilityPodcast See less

Make sure to submit an abstract to our session! Link: event.fourwaves.com/csa-scs-conf...

🎙️ Coming soon! A bold new podcast on #Disability and #Sexuality hosted by Dr. Alan Martino. Join us for raw, real, and open conversations that challenge taboos and amplify disabled voices. Stay tuned!

It has proven to be one of the best strategies for pushing the boundaries of disability research and making it more widely understood. alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/bringing-d...