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analogy: When I first started thinking about Gensex compared to disability my first thoughts were more focused on the differences between the two identity categories. When Kristen pointed out Roughgarden's quote "I wondered where we might locate diversity in gender expression and sexual orientation within the overall framework of human diversity.  Are these types of diversity as innocent as differences in height, weight, body proportion, and aptitude? Or does diversity in gender expression and sexuality merit special alarm and require careful treatment?" Although I didn't agree with Roughgarden's judgment of disability as "innocent" I think I understand where she is coming from. The thing about disability is that it is generally accepted by society that disabled people aren't "choosing to be disabled" and that they can't be blamed. (this doesn't mean that people don't see disability as "wrong", but they try to excuse it.) But those who chose to take on identities of gender and sexuality that don't go along with hetero-normative expectations are subject to a lack of acceptance of another kind. People still seem to think that we choose to feel like they are gender variant or non-heterosexual and therefore don't deserve 'compassion' or respect.  It think both of these societal reactions to different identities come with various disadvantages of their own. Neither forms of diversity should be seen as innocent, and both deserve special alarm and careful treatment.

After thinking about these types of diversity I started to see their similarities. If indeed gender and sexuality isn't a choice (what we're expected to be and/or what we are) then they may be regarded differently from disability by other members of society in some ways but also very similar. When I look at myself I see my gender and sexuality as my greatest disability in terms of my ability to obtain power in society.  When I say power I am talking about monetary, physical, political, etc.  But personally, they are not disabilities because I love myself for who I am, I see my gender (not binary) and sexuality as qualities.  And I think that disabilities, physical or mental, are also qualities to every person, even if they disable them in society.