Almost-Passing Physically Disabled Femininity and Cultural Power: A Performance Analysis of Personal Narrative Academic Article uri icon

Abstract

  • This performance analysis traces how patriarchy and able-bodied biases surface in the acceptance, pursuit, and desire of seven bodies diagnosed as physically disabled that almost pass for ‘normal’ in their daily interactions. Others’ interpretations of their atypical embodiments and their choices of if, when, where, and to whom they disclose their visceral experience potentially reinforce and challenge marginalizing cultural discourses of gender and ability, offering opportunities for new understandings to emerge through future communicative encounters.

Publication Date

  • 2015-06-01