I had a conversation with a friend about how disabled people have been dehumanized by society, and that impacts how the world sees, treats, and interacts with us. This post is about more than disabled people can have sex. It’s about recognizing our humanity which including our desires, our autonomy, and most importantly, our RIGHT to make decisions about our own bodies. Being disgusted by someone simply for being human while disabled is ableist and dehumanizing. This mindset doesn’t just lead to hurtful comments or opinions. It impacts how disabled people are treated when seeking sexual and reproductive care which has been an issue for years now. That looks like whether our questions are taken seriously, our needs are acknowledged, and our choices are respected. At a time when our right to make decisions about our own bodies is being challenged by those in office, it’s important to understand what’s at stake for disabled people. Being recognized as sexual beings isn’t just about representation but it’s about our autonomy, our safety, and our right to make informed choices about our bodies. When our desires, needs, and decisions aren’t taken seriously, it becomes easier for others to dismiss our concerns, deny us care, or make decisions on our behalf. That can put us in harm’s way. We deserve to have our consent respected, our choices honored, and our access to sexual and reproductive care protected.