bitterlesbiangrandma:

I was thinking lately about how performative feminity is especially harmful when it comes to disability.
Society demanding of women to be clean shaven and “pretty” to be treated as humans is fucked up in general. But when you combine it with disability, chronic illness and pain, it turns into downright cruelty.
I recently realized half of my spoons daily goes to skincare and haircare, dyeing my hair, shaving, when going out to makeup and pretty outfits. And don’t get me wrong, I love fashion. But what I don’t love is knowing that if I go out on my wheelchair with unwashed hair or rash or acne on my face uncovered with makeup, people will think I’m gross and treat me as such.
People who’s conditions affect their appearance are faced with twice the ableism me and other “pretty” disabled people do. Women with Down syndrome, or (like my sister) with Turner’s syndrome are all faced with ableism that stems from notion that women are required to be beautiful in societal standards.

And look, if you’re unable to go to school and get education, or get hired, or acquire social benefits because of your appearance that’s tied to your disability then we have a problem here.

Performance of feminity is at best difficult as fuck and at worst impossible for disabled people, and we suffer because of that.