Kinda just curious if there's other people out here who are blind as well as in the queer community. I've met a few of my peers here and there in person and saw an article about a blind trans man, but it seems like we're really rare. The intersection of sexuality, gender, and disability is one of those things that's interesting to me but it's definitely something that seems to be ignored in the grand scheme of things. Not sure where I was going with this post heh and mods if it needs to be removed please do so, but I guess if nothing else it stands as a little sign post that we're out here, being blind but also as human and diverse as anyone else. :)
Edit: Thank you all so much for the amazing and wonderful replies! You guys have been really making my day! For the curious I'm nonbinary trans (agender/no gender), asexual, and a whole lot of queer that's kind of complicated to explain haha. It's been so uplifting to see how many of us are out there! Thank you all for being so kind with this. :)
Laser_Lens_416 points11m ago
blind trans lesbian checking in. Hellu :3
razzretina [OP]8 points11m ago
Heck yes!!! I was shy to say it in the main post but I'm trans myself and it's so comforting to know we're out there. :)
DeeDeegc13 points11m ago
I'm blind, bigender, and bisexual. You're far from alone. Disability is the great equalizer. It doesn't care about any of the other demographics.
razzretina [OP]7 points11m ago
Isn't that the truth! I find that talking to people with who are discovering themselves is really different because I treat my other identities through the lense of blindness, which came first. I'm practical about being trans and my other identities because I started the habit with blindness. It doesn't matter what other people think of me when I have to do things my way or not at all, if that makes sense.
Thank you for the reply and this great perspective!
DeeDeegc3 points11m ago
It does make sense and I appreciate the reply. I think It takes a lot to accept all of the different parts of self. I've known about my bisexuality for a long time but it's taken me 25+ years to understand my gender, which I still have trouble accepting at times. Blindness is also fairly new to me and I'm working on that. It's hard to lose a critical sense. People tend to understand the grief one faces when losing a part of themselves but I don't think people understand the work and pain involved in acclimation. There's a comedian named Josh Blue I like. He has cerebral palsy and functions just fine as a comic. He has a joke about disability being the only demographic anybody can join. At the end of the day though, whether it be disability, sexuality, gender, etc the central theme seems to be an issue of acceptance. Though acceptance of self is much more important that societal acceptance and I feel people struggle most with accepting themselves. Finding out you aren't alone though, is a major help in that area.
codeplaysleep9 points11m ago
ROP here as well, left eye's artificial, 20/100 with a very narrow visual field in the right eye, software engineer, mid 40s, gender fluid, married, the kid is halfway through university.
razzretina [OP]6 points11m ago
Woohoo more ROP representation haha! It's always nice to find another peer in retinal distress as it were haha. And I'm glad you know yourself and your identity! Always have had respect for anyone who's gender fluid; I'm agender so the concept of having all the gender sounds like a lot to me but I very much respect anyone living their truth with it. :)
Criptedinyourcloset9 points11m ago
Yep. Also blind and nonbinary. We exist. I wish though there were tutorials online about how to do trans specific stuff as a blind person. I’m not on testosterone yet but when I start needing to do testosterone or use trans tape how the hell am I gonna figure that out?
razzretina [OP]4 points11m ago
Oh heck yes, another blind nb! I'm nb trans and have actually done a lot to transition, including being on testosterone. Up front just ask for the gel. Injections aren't realistic for us and the patches suck. The gel is a little odd to get used to at first but it's easy to apply daily and I like that I don't have hormone ups and downs with it. I hope your transition goes well! I haven't found too many things different as a blind person transitioning so I hope that's reasurring, though the nice thing about being non binary is that you really get to decide how you want to express yourself. :)
Criptedinyourcloset4 points11m ago
All right cool. That’s what I think was gonna be my realistic option anyway but still. I’m actually making a documentary about blind people.
razzretina [OP]2 points11m ago
Oh rad! I hope that goes well!
Emmenias3 points11m ago
Tape is a bad idea anyhow. Get yourself a binder! GC2B has really good ones. You will have to ask someone to measure you most likely, but if you're uncomfortable you can always say that's for something else. The chart in their help article is inaccessible, but if you contact them I bet tehy'll be happy to recommend the best size based on your measurement.
PrincessDie1231 points11m ago
There are options aside from injections for HRT like topical gels or suppositories but my clinic also offered to do weekly injections for me I would walk in and have a technician give me the shot. I haven’t decided if I’m going to microdose yet though I’m still thinking about it. As for the tape, I’m allergic so I can’t say but maybe asking a user to give you an auditory play by play?
Emmenias8 points11m ago
Hey, another blind nonbinary (agender) person checking in! And asexual on top, because if I fit one A might as well fit another, right?
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Sounds like there's way more of us than I thought. Perhaps something about staring into the void more often really brings out the void in us, too? :P
Rhymershouse3 points11m ago
Heh I’m agender too!
Emmenias2 points11m ago
Heck yeah! Welcome to the void!
RollForParadise2 points11m ago
Hey there fellow asexual! Glad to see you in this blind group :-)
Emmenias1 points11m ago
Hi! I love your username! TTRPG references are always cool. :) It's a pleasure to meet you!
Rhymershouse8 points11m ago
Yo! I’m here! Blind nonbinary person married to a sighted woman and raising a kid.
razzretina [OP]3 points11m ago
Oh congratulations to you both on your kiddo! I'm excited seeing so many other non binary blind folks, I kind of thought it was just me haha. And it's really exciting to see a blind nb parent as that's my hope for the next few years (my partner would like to have a kid or two and I'm all for being a cool blind dad haha).
Rhymershouse3 points11m ago
Kiddo is fifteen months old. I go by dada because it’s easy LOL! If you got questions about blind parenting, I can try to help.
PrincessDie1232 points11m ago
I’m also non-binary! I’m excited to see so many others myself
Criptedinyourcloset2 points11m ago
I wonder how many of us there are.
Rhymershouse2 points11m ago
Me too!
sphericaldiagnoal7 points11m ago
Blind in one eye and trans, not sure if I'm supposed to be here but hello!
razzretina [OP]7 points11m ago
As far as I know you're welcome here :) There's all kinds of variance to blindness, it's not just a "sight/no sight" split.
Choice_Can_91893 points11m ago
I’m gay and blind in one eye and patch my bad eye for light issues. Do you have to wear a patch or os yours non light sensitive?
UtterlyUnexplained6 points11m ago
I'm blind and trans and the way transitioning has been affected by my lack of sight has made the whole process significantly more stressful. That said, anyone want a friend?
MrMaisy2 points11m ago
100% feel you on that transitioning much harder navigating lack of sight as well
JessConstantino4 points11m ago
Visually impaired and bisexual
Timely-Fruit4 points11m ago
I actually know quite a few trans and bi people in parts of the blind community.
Weirdly, I have not seen many asexual counterparts. Would be kinda cool to find out how someone with a similar level vision (light and shadow) would view the idea of exchanging body fluids.
Emmenias3 points11m ago
That's odd. and here I thought that if anything, aces would be more common, or at least people who assumed themselves to be so because of not really experiencing visual attraction.
Anyhow, I'm a blind ace with about 0.01 to .05 % vision. But I don't think I can help you much. The idea of exchanging fluids doesn't really bother me. Heck, I don't find the idea of sex disgusting in general. It's great you guys are enjoying it! Just remember to learn about safe sex and most of all concent, yeah?
It's just that I've never been aroused by anything I did, read, watched, etc. and any sexual media I try only brings about a hollow sort of fascination. If I read erotic fiction, I feel like an alien trying to learn more about this strange foreign culture. Except if the porn has solid plot; then I'll read it for the plot and skip the hot scenes, because I'm weird like that.
Timely-Fruit1 points11m ago
Like you, the concept of sex is whatever to me. Wanna do it, do it. Just leave me out of it. For me, the problem comes when I'm expected to share drinks, kiss, or have sex. The idea of strange body fluids in or on me to any capacity... I can't do it. I can watch porn, no biggy, but as soon as sex stories come in the equation, my stomach starts to flip.
Emmenias2 points11m ago
For me, mixing saliva is definitely kinda disgusting. If someone has drunk out of a glass, you bet I won't drink from the same side. I even feel uncomfortable, fore xample, eating a sandwich someone has taken a bite out of -- even though that's usually other family members. I've gotten way better about that over the years, though, so now I can manage it. But I've no idea how I'd handle french kissing ...
Sexual fluids, though? Eh. I don't think I'd mind those all that much. The people who are into playing with piss (watersports) or shit (don't even know what that's called and don't want to) still bewilder me, but the normal stuff seems alright enough. At least if you don't think too hard about how many diseases are spread that way ...
Timely-Fruit1 points11m ago
Yes, but the part we use for sex is the part where we piss...
I can't deal with the sandwich example either, if someone took a bite, you bet I won't touch it! It's like a mark if you will. If someone marked it, it's theirs. Unfortunately I never got better at it, if anything, it got worse the older I got. :(
PrincessDie1232 points11m ago
So I’m non-binary, bisexual, and probably also somewhere in the ace spectrum. Exchanging body fluids is disgusting until I’m horny then it’s hot but as soon as I’m not anymore it’s like “gross this is a mess to clean up, clean it up clean it up clean it up” that goes for my own fluids as well though rofl idk my life is complicated like that. Needless to say I don’t have partners often. Like sometimes I’m into sexy stories and such but other times I will either be disgusted by it or laugh at how silly it is.
Timely-Fruit2 points11m ago
I think that's my issue. I don't get turned on at all. So body fluid repulsion and no desires combined together just put me off it all.
PrincessDie1232 points11m ago
Yeah I thought I would enjoy the end part until I saw someone else finish for the first time and having their fluids splatter my hand was repulsive I was composed enough not to accidentally make them feel bad but it’s definitely one of the factors leading me away from finding a booty call when I think about it.
JackFrostsKid4 points11m ago
Yep! I’m a blind sapphic aro axe person!
Emmenias5 points11m ago
By "axe", did you mean ace? If so, welcome to the club! We have garlic bread!
Otherwise, I can't say I'm familiar with this sexuality/identity. But axe sure does sound like a damn cool gender to be!
amenat19972 points8m ago
We have garlic bread!!!!! Hells yeh. This blind trans woman lesbian loves me the garlic breads
Emmenias1 points8m ago
Enough to necro a 3 month old comment? Now that's dedication! One basket of garlic bread comin' right up!
amenat19972 points8m ago
lol was feeling lonely as a blind trans lesbian and found this stuff. Also just got dystopia working and it has made reddit amaaaaaaaazing!
JackFrostsKid2 points11m ago
I did indeed mean ace; although axe does sound like a good gender
Suile-Bhride3 points11m ago
I'm both Blind and am part of the greater LGTBQ+ community. I identify as Bigender (male and female pronouns), as well as Bisexual and Polysexual. My sexual orientation differs somewhat depending on where I'm at within my own personal gender spectrum at any given moment.
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I'd say that like two thirds of my friends who are also Blind tend to fall in the same greater community in one way or another.
Quietgirl823 points11m ago
I’m visually impaired and lesbian :)
MrMaisy3 points11m ago
ROP and Trans man. Just trying to figure out how to live a happy life
Shoddy_Doughnut61743 points11m ago
Hi, I just forwarded a link to this thread to the station manager of The Global Voice global Internet radio $1 Chrissie Cochrane. I myself do 4 shows over there. We have folks from the UK, U.S., Canada, Denmark etc. She's a trans woman, and we have 2 other trans women, one sighted and 1 blind, and an ex-presenter who is blind as well who was in the process of transitioning when she was with us. We sometimes discuss LGBTQIA issues on our Sunday Zoom-in/call-in show the Attitude Test. We also carry ShoutOut Radio, A community run radio show, based in Bristol. The show brings you all the LGBT information you need on a weekly basis. If you're interested in Internet radio and think you might do a show on blind LGBTQ issues or tutorials on transitioning while blind we'd certainly be interested. If you know of a show or podcast like that that's already out there, we'd be interested in maybe carrying it.
freakygreekbeak3 points11m ago
visually impaired non-binary individual over here, hi!
BlakeBlues3 points11m ago
FWIW I'm also a queer trans woman. Legally blind and all that. I'm glad you are finding a community!
SoapyRiley3 points11m ago
Queer over here too!
RollForParadise2 points11m ago
Hehe hi! I am really really blind but not completely, and I am asexual :-)
BlindAllDay2 points11m ago
The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and the AmericanCouncil of the Blind (ACB) both have groups for the LGBTQ community. You shouldcheck them out. I think the ACB LGBTQ affiliate has been around for like twenty years. They also are more active than the NFB LGBTQ division.
EmeraldSunrise40002 points11m ago
Almost totally blind and queer! Not sure which other label suits right now ❤️
Cupiochment2 points11m ago
Totally blind arospec here and possibly nb too
QueenMums2 points11m ago
Hi, OP, and all: I saw that someone else posted a link, so I assume I can post one, too.
Here is a link to Blind LGBTQIA+ Pride International's podcast page:
Hey! I'm another blind queer (in both gender and sexuality). We're all over the place!
QueenMums2 points11m ago
Blind LGBTQIA+ Pride International/BPI is affiliated with the American Council of the Blind and is an open, welcoming community you might be interested in joining. I'm an Ally member, and the people I've met in BPI are at all points on the spectrum, both of vision or lack thereof and sexual orientation or lack thereof (hence the "A" in the name, for asexual.) Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join. I'd post a link here, but I'm not sure if that is allowed by mods. You're not alone, OP!
PrincessDie1232 points11m ago
I’m legally blind, bisexual and non-binary/gender-fluid and probably somewhere on the ace spectrum as well
ginsenshi2 points11m ago
I’m blind,, gay and a furry, My bf is blind and gay also.
seafoamwaltz2 points11m ago
I'm a bit late to this post and you've already gotten a lot of replies, but I'm just adding to the chorus. I'm blind and queer. And demisexual, which I don't personally feel counts but some people do, so I'm including it anyway. I don't think we're as rare as it might seem we are. I have a lot of queer and trans friends who are some level of visually impaired. But I know the feeling of isolation that can come from being in multiple marginalized communities where it's hard to find overlap. I know that there's an ACB group for blind LGBTQ+ people, and I imagine NFB also has one that I'm just not aware of. I'm not affiliated with either group, but if you're interested in finding more community, they might be a place to start.
seafoamwaltz2 points11m ago
I'm a bit late to this post and you've already gotten a lot of replies, but I'm just adding to the chorus. I'm blind and queer. And demisexual, which I don't personally feel counts but some people do, so I'm including it anyway. I don't think we're as rare as it might seem we are. I have a lot of queer and trans friends who are some level of visually impaired. But I know the feeling of isolation that can come from being in multiple marginalized communities where it's hard to find overlap. I know that there's an ACB group for blind LGBTQ+ people, and I imagine NFB also has one that I'm just not aware of. I'm not affiliated with either group, but if you're interested in finding more community, they might be a place to start.
PrincessDie1231 points11m ago
Oh cool what is this ACB group you speak of? I’ve never heard of it and I would like to because I have a lot of idiots ask me “why transition if you’re going blind anyway you won’t be able to see your body anyway so why change it” and it’s always a great test of my patience, I would like to know how others respond to stupid non-questions like that.
seafoamwaltz2 points11m ago
I believe it's called Blind Pride International, but I could have the name slightly wrong. I'm happy to dig up a link for you if you can't find it under that name.
And that's so frustratingly ignorant, as though the only reason trans people feel uncomfortable in the wrong body is because of how it looks. Not because it's, you know...the wrong body. I'm sorry people say things like that to you.
PrincessDie1231 points11m ago
It’s all good they say similar things about me collecting tattoos and piercings “why mark your body if you’re not gonna see it anyway” because I like art genius f-off lol awesome I’ll check it out $1
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