Disabled Women, Care Regimes, and Institutionalised Homophobia: a Case Study From Poland

Abstract Introduction The intersection of non-heterosexuality, gender and disability became a prolific field research among both queer, crip studies scholars, though focusing mainly on Western regions. article discusses how women narrate their everyday intimate care-related experiences situated in ableist heteronormative regimes Central Eastern Europe (CEE). aim this is to scrutinise the care as experienced, navigated reported by non-heterosexual with disabilities Poland, country characterized institutionalisation, lack individualised support, state homophobia. Methods study based qualitative methods, namely semi-structured, in-depth interviews. We conducted interviews 11 disabled living Poland. sampling was three criteria: gender, self-identification person, experience being same-sex relationship (8 out participants were homosexual during time interview). All eleven identified (most lesbians, one bisexual pansexual) had congenital physical (including cerebral palsy, spinal muscular atrophy, dystrophy). None interviewees an intellectual disability. Results By tackling regimes, our analysis explores women’s context discursive confusions resulting from at often-contradictory local narrations disability, sexuality. intertwined processes understand explore work Poland: (1) separateness between queer policies discourses, (2) co-opting/obscuring relations category care, (3) familiarisation its consequences for non-heterosexuality. Policy Implication suggest that social support systems must better address needs which are profoundly impacted structural, political cultural constraints possibilities.