Background is an eggshell-colored square with an orange border. At the top is the Disability Culture Lab logo in teal. Below the logo is a rectangular photo of a white bus that has a ramp to accommodate disabled riders. Below the photo is the Next City logo in blue and white, and next to it is the headline “Free Public Transit Is Good. Free and Accessible Is Even Better.” in orange text. Underneath the logo and headline, is text reading “By Meier Galblum and Kenrya Rankin.” Below is a quote from the article, “For disabled people, public transit and accessible cities are more than talking points. They are the difference between being stuck in your house for years on end and having access to work, school, community and joy.” Underneath that, dark teal text reads “tinyurl.com/PublicTransitOpEd” In the bottom right corner is page number “1.”

Background is an eggshell-colored square with an orange border. At the top is the Disability Culture Lab logo in teal. Below the logo is a rectangular photo of a white bus that has a ramp to accommodate disabled riders. Below the photo is the Next City logo in blue and white, and next to it is the headline “Free Public Transit Is Good. Free and Accessible Is Even Better.” in orange text. Below is a quote from the article, “Here are the big ideas dominating our space, alongside free buses, when it comes to accessible communities. They all fall under one big banner: disabled folks want the freedom to move. And when we don’t get it, many of us are stuck at home, unable to work, pay rent, go to school, get food, or see our community.” Underneath that is “Meier Galblum Haigh (they/them) and Kenrya Rankin (she/her).” Below that in the orange border, eggshell-colored text reads “tinyurl.com/PublicTransitOpEd.” In the bottom right corner is page number “2.”

Background is an eggshell-colored square with an orange border. At the top is the Disability Culture Lab logo in teal. Below the logo is a rectangular photo of a white bus that has a ramp to accommodate disabled riders. Below the photo is the Next City logo in blue and white, and next to it is the headline “Suggestions to make public transit more accessible: make transit reliable and fast, expand protected bike lanes, create more accessible parking, offer public charging for mobility devices, ensure elevators work, and invest in public paratransit.” Underneath that is “Meier Galblum Haigh (they/them) and Kenrya Rankin (she/her).” Below that in the orange border, eggshell-colored text reads “tinyurl.com/PublicTransitOpEd.” In the bottom right corner is page number “3.”

Background is an eggshell-colored square with an orange border. At the top is the Disability Culture Lab logo in teal. Below the logo is a rectangular photo of a white bus that has a ramp to accommodate disabled riders. Below the photo is the Next City logo in blue and white, and next to it is the headline “When cities prioritize accessibility and clearly communicate about it, the result is more dependable, functional, and efficient public transit for all. Free buses may win elections. But accessible transportation is what makes cities livable for everyone.” Underneath that is “Meier Galblum Haigh (they/them) and Kenrya Rankin (she/her).” Below that in the orange border, eggshell-colored text reads “tinyurl.com/PublicTransitOpEd.” In the bottom right corner is page number “4.”

Transit is about more than just buses and trains — it’s about how we access work, school, community, and joy. Meier Galblum Haigh @mghaigh.bsky.social and Kenrya Rankin @kenrya.bsky.social in Next City argue free transit isn’t enough — we need accessible transit too. tinyurl.com/PublicTransitOpEd

The background is dark teal with a repeating lightning bolt pattern. There is a transparent speech bubble with a yellow outline and single bright green lightning bolt in the top center. Inside the speech bubble is a quote: “It was clear that, regardless of our actual psychiatric backgrounds, the insistence on labeling transness as an illness rendered us all ‘insane’ in the eyes of the state, and therefore society,” in white text, with “insistence” in teal with a bright green block highlight. Below in white text is the author name and occupation: “Amara Refaat (he/her), Anthropologist and Writer.” Underneath is the title of the article: “In Search of Trans Identity and Community in Cairo.” In the bottom left corner is the Disability Culture Currents logo, which has white and bright green text that reads “Disability Culture Currents,” with a green lightning bolt icon to the right. In the bottom right corner, white text reads “Link in bio: tinyurl.com/DCCurrents.”

Our latest piece for Disability Culture Currents is “In Search of Trans Identity and Community in Cairo,” by Amara Refaat (he/her), an anthropologist and writer in Egypt. Read now at tinyurl.com/DCCurrents.

Thank YOU!

Instagram Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you.

And check out Gwendystar Media, a media project where Gwendolyn uses photography, videography, writing, and more to create art and tell community stories: www.instagram.com/gwendystar.m...

How Long COVID Redefined My Creative Practice — Disability Culture Lab As I look back on this past Long COVID Awareness Month, I realize that Long COVID has also opened up a journey of self-exploration, understanding, and joy through art, and prompted me to think about how we can best show up for one another. 

#scholarcrip: Gwendolyn Hill on creativity & Long COVID:

"Being more intentional with my work and how I spend my Crip Time and energy is how I honor my Crip body. I had to learn that my creativity won’t die just because I need rest. In fact, it will flourish if I allow it time to grow.”

Background is an eggshell-colored square with a dark blue border. At the top is the Disability Culture Lab logo in dark teal. Below the logo is a square picture of Kenrya Rankin, a dark-skinned Black woman with dark brown locs, wearing rose gold glasses on a chain, purple lipstick, and a big smile. She is also wearing a shirt with a hot pink, purple, and teal print. The background is white. Below the photos is the Solidarity Collaborative’s orange spiky logo next to the headline, “A New Solidarity Cohort: Meet the Next Group of Social Justice Leaders.” Underneath the headline, there is a quote from Kenrya in dark teal text that reads, “At Disability Culture Lab, we ground our work in the fact that, from racism to xenophobia, all forms of oppression are disabling. And that compounds for the multi-marginalized amongst us. That means cross-movement solidarity that seeks to dismantle that oppression from all angles is crucial to moving us all to liberation." Below, dark teal text reads, “Kenrya Rankin (she/her) Managing Director.” At the bottom of the page, eggshell text over the dark blue border reads “tinyurl.com/SolidarityCollabCohort.” At the bottom right corner is the page number “1.”

Slide 2: Background is an eggshell-colored square with a dark blue border. At the top is the Disability Culture Lab logo in teal. Below the logo is a square picture of Kenrya Rankin, a dark-skinned Black woman with dark brown locs, wearing rose gold glasses on a chain, purple lipstick, and a big smile. She is also wearing a shirt with a hot pink, purple, and teal print. The background is white. Below the photos is the Solidarity Collaborative’s orange spiky logo next to the headline, “A New Solidarity Cohort: Meet the Next Group of Social Justice Leaders.” Underneath the headline, there is a quote from Kenrya in dark teal text that reads, “I hope my cohort can bring that lens to our work together and apart, using it to inform how we show up for each other and how we make space within our home movements." Below, dark teal text reads, “Kenrya Rankin (she/her) Managing Director.” At the bottom of the page, eggshell text over the dark blue border reads “tinyurl.com/SolidarityCollabCohort.” At the bottom right corner is the page number “2.”

We’re so excited to share that DCL's Kenrya Rankin @kenrya.bsky.social is part of the Proteus Fund Solidarity Collaborative’s 2025 cohort!

It includes nine leaders from many social justice movements to facilitate cross-movement solidarity.

Read more here: tinyurl.com/SolidarityCollabCohort.

The background is dark teal with a repeating lightning bolt pattern. There is a vertical light blue line to the left with a single bright green lightning bolt above it. To the right of the lightning bolt is white text that reads, “Being more intentional with my work and how I spend my Crip Time and energy is how I honor my Crip body. I had to learn that my creativity won’t die just because I need rest. In fact, it will flourish if I allow it time to grow,” with "intentional" and "it will flourish if I allow it time to grow" in dark teal over a light blue block highlight. Below in white text is the author name and occupation: “Gwendolyn Hill (she/they), Artist + Disability Justice Activist” Underneath is the title of the article: “How Long COVID Redefined My Creative Practice.” In the bottom on the left is the Disability Culture Currents logo, which has white and bright green text that reads “Disability Culture Currents,” with a green lightning bolt icon to the right. To the right of the logo, white text reads, “Link in bio: tinyurl.com/DCCurrents.”

Our latest piece for Disability Culture Currents in recognition of Long COVID Awareness Month this past March is “How Long COVID Redefined My Creative Practice” by Gwendolyn Hill (she/they), a multi-media artist and disability justice activist. Read now at tinyurl.com/DCCurrents.

The background is dark teal with a repeating lightning bolt pattern. There is a white speech bubble with a pink outline and single bright green lightning bolt in the top center. Inside the speech bubble is a quote in teal text that reads, “For every act of suppression weaponized against us, for every bit of hate spewed in our direction, for every attempt to decide what our lives should be, I have witnessed a community rising together,” with, “I have witnessed a community rising together” in a pink block highlight. Below in white text is the author's name and occupation: “Samuel Z. Shelton (they/them/theirs), Feminist Educator + Activist.” Underneath is the title of the article: “Queer and Trans in Iowa, 2026.” In the bottom left is the Disability Culture Currents logo, which has white and bright green text that reads, “Disability Culture Currents,” with a green lightning bolt icon to the right. To the right of the logo, white text reads “Link in bio: tinyurl.com/DCCurrents.”

Our latest piece for Disability Culture Currents is “Queer and Trans in Iowa, 2026” by Samuel Z. Shelton (they/them/theirs), a queer, Trans, nonbinary feminist scholar, educator, and activist. Read now at tinyurl.com/DCCurrents.

The background is dark teal with a repeating lightning bolt pattern. There is a vertical light blue line to the left with a single bright green lightning bolt above it. To the right of the lightning bolt is white text that reads, “Being more intentional with my work and how I spend my Crip Time and energy is how I honor my Crip body. I had to learn that my creativity won’t die just because I need rest. In fact, it will flourish if I allow it time to grow,” with "intentional" and "it will flourish if I allow it time to grow" in dark teal over a light blue block highlight. Below in white text is the author name and occupation: “Gwendolyn Hill (she/they), Artist + Disability Justice Activist” Underneath is the title of the article: “How Long COVID Redefined My Creative Practice.” In the bottom on the left is the Disability Culture Currents logo, which has white and bright green text that reads “Disability Culture Currents,” with a green lightning bolt icon to the right. To the right of the logo, white text reads, “Link in bio: tinyurl.com/DCCurrents.”

Our latest piece for Disability Culture Currents in recognition of Long COVID Awareness Month this past March is “How Long COVID Redefined My Creative Practice” by Gwendolyn Hill (she/they), a multi-media artist and disability justice activist. Read now at tinyurl.com/DCCurrents.

On a royal blue background, white text reads “Meier Galblum Haigh (they/them).” Above is a circle picture of Meier, a white Trans-masc nonbinary person with short cropped dark curly hair in a masculine blue suit and light blue linen shirt. They are smiling warmly and sitting confidently in a black mobility scooter in downtown DC in front of an accessible downtown arts district. On either side of the picture are light pink framing sections. Below is Meier’s bio in white text that reads “Meier Galblum Haigh is the Executive Director of Disability Culture Lab. They are a Trans-masc nonbinary parent, born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska now living in Washington, DC.” Below is the Disability Culture Lab logo in white. At the top, in the middle, is a white square made of circles in lines. On either side are two light pink arrows pointing out. In the bottom right corner is the page number “1.”

On a royal blue background is a circle picture of Meier Galblum Haigh (they/them), a white Trans-masc nonbinary person with short cropped dark curly hair in a masculine blue suit and light blue linen shirt. They are smiling warmly and sitting confidently in a black mobility scooter in downtown DC in front of an accessible downtown arts district. To the right is text reading “Meier Galblum Haigh (they/them)” and “Q: In the midst of all we are facing, where do you find disabled Trans joy right now?” Below is the first part of Meier’s answer in white text that reads “I love disabled people, I love Trans people, and I love disabled Trans people. Disabled Trans joy and community are revolutionary. I find joy in other disabled Trans people, our interdependence, in our art and music, and in imagining liberation together.” Below is the Disability Culture Lab logo in white. At the top, in the middle, is a white square made of circles in lines. On either side are two light pink arrows pointing out. In the bottom right corner is the page number “2.”

On a royal blue background is a circle picture of Meier Galblum Haigh (they/them), a white Trans-masc nonbinary person with short cropped dark curly hair in a masculine blue suit and light blue linen shirt. They are smiling warmly and sitting confidently in a black mobility scooter in downtown DC in front of an accessible downtown arts district. To the right is text reading “Meier Galblum Haigh (they/them)” and “Q: In the midst of all we are facing, where do you find disabled Trans joy right now?” Below is the second part of Meier’s answer in white text that reads “It’s easy to get lost in despair right now, I think we all do. We have no choice but to mourn every day, every week, as we lose so many loved ones, homes, rights. But we also deserve to dream, support one another, and imagine a world where we are actually free. So I try to make as much space for joy as I do for grief.” Below is the Disability Culture Lab logo in white. At the top, in the middle, is a white square made of circles in lines. On either side are two light pink arrows pointing out. In the bottom right corner is the page number “3.”

Disabled Trans people deserve joy and liberation. Here’s our Executive Director @mghaigh.bsky.social on finding joy amidst grief on #TDOV: “Disabled Trans people deserve to dream, support one another, and imagine a world where we are free, so I try to make as much space for joy as for grief.”

We fixed it!

On a royal blue background, white text reads “Ly Xīnzhèn M. Zhǎngsūn Brown (they/them/theirs/themself).” Above is a circle picture of Ly Xīnzhèn, an East Asian person in their thirties, wearing a dark suit, knitted necktie, and glasses. They also have a small tie clip, a silver magen david necklace, and a ceramic watermelon brooch. On either side of the picture are light blue framing sections. Below is Ly Xînzhèn’s bio in white text that reads “Ly Xīnzhèn M. Zhǎngsūn Brown is an internationally recognized advocate, organizer, attorney, strategist, policy expert, and writer focused on interpersonal and state violence against disabled people at the intersections of race, class, gender, sexuality, faith, language, and nation. They are the Founding Executive Director of The Autistic People of Color Fund, a project of collective care, redistributive justice, and mutual aid.” Below is the Disability Culture Lab logo in white. At the top, in the middle, is a white square made of circles in lines. On either side are two light pink arrows pointing out. In the bottom right corner is the page number “1.”

On a royal blue background is a circle picture of Ly Xīnzhèn M. Zhǎngsūn Brown (they/them/theirs/themself), an East Asian person in their thirties, wearing a dark suit, knitted necktie, and glasses. They also have a small tie clip, a silver magen david necklace, and a ceramic watermelon brooch. To the right is text reading “Ly Xīnzhèn M. Zhǎngsūn Brown (they/them/theirs/themself)” and “Q: In the midst of all we are facing, where do you find disabled Trans joy right now?” Below is the first part of Ly Xīnzhèn’s answer in white text that reads “I find Trans disabled joy when sharing food. Folding dumplings, eating injera, steaming rice, simmering rajma and doro wot, grinding Sichuan peppercorn, sipping coffee, piling kitfo and ayib on qocho, slicing mushrooms, tossing noodles, and basting salmon. We adapt recipes and techniques for arthritic hands and brain fog and OCD and tactile aversions, and we support each other cooking and cleaning.” Below is the Disability Culture Lab logo in white. At the top, in the middle, is a white square made of circles in lines. On either side are two light pink arrows pointing out. In the bottom right corner is the page number “2.”

On a royal blue background is a circle picture of Ly Xīnzhèn M. Zhǎngsūn Brown (they/them/theirs/themself), an East Asian person in their thirties, wearing a dark suit, knitted necktie, and glasses. They also have a small tie clip, a silver magen david necklace, and a ceramic watermelon brooch. To the right is text reading “Ly Xīnzhèn M. Zhǎngsūn Brown (they/them/theirs/themself)” and “Q: In the midst of all we are facing, where do you find disabled Trans joy right now?” Below is the second part of Ly Xīnzhèn’s answer in white text that reads “We share gratitude for the labor needed to grow and prepare food and we savor eating together because we believe in a future and present where we all enjoy abundance and plenty and care, and where the food that nourishes us enables us to keep resisting, fighting, dreaming, and building.” Below is the Disability Culture Lab logo in white. At the top, in the middle, is a white square made of circles in lines. On either side are two light pink arrows pointing out. In the bottom right corner is the page number “3.”

For this #TDOV, disabled Trans folks need liberation and joy. Ly Xīnzhèn M. Zhǎngsūn Brown @lydiaxzbrown.com of Autistic People of Color Fund finds disabled Trans joy in food, because gathering to eat reflects abundance, care, and a future where nourishment fuels resisting, dreaming, and building.

On a royal blue background, white text reads “Mani Vinson, MHSA (any/all pronouns).” Above is a circle picture of Mani, a Black Trans person with brown skin and their black hair pulled back. They are wearing a green jacket and smiling very big in front of a grey wall. On either side of the picture are light pink framing sections. Below is Mani’s bio in white text that reads “Mani Vinson is a Black, Trans, neurodivergent digital content producer, narrative strategist, and activist scholar with over a decade of professional experience and a lifetime of passion. Mani is currently based in the DMV and is affiliated with Transform Gender Collective, Physicians for Reproductive Health, and New Disabled South.” Below is the Disability Culture Lab logo in white. At the top, in the middle, is a white square made of circles in lines. On either side are two light pink arrows pointing out. In the bottom right corner is the page number “1.”

On a royal blue background is a circle picture of Mani Vinson, MHSA (any/all pronouns), a Black Trans person with brown skin and their black hair pulled back. They are wearing a green jacket and smiling very big in front of a grey wall. To the right is text reading “Mani Vinson, MHSA (any/all pronouns)” and “Q: In the midst of all we are facing, where do you find disabled Trans joy right now?” Below is the first part of Mani’s answer in white text that reads “James Baldwin said that ‘The world is held together . . . by the love and the passion of a very few people.’ As a Black, Trans, neurodivergent person, I find so much joy and solace in community. Not just having a community that loves and supports me, but being in community and adopting praxis rooted in community care, compassion, and love.” Below is the Disability Culture Lab logo in white. At the top, in the middle, is a white square made of circles in lines. On either side are two light pink arrows pointing out. In the bottom right corner is the page number “2.”

On a royal blue background is a circle picture of Mani Vinson, MHSA (any/all pronouns), a Black Trans person with brown skin and their black hair pulled back. They are wearing a green jacket and smiling very big in front of a grey wall. To the right is text reading “Mani Vinson, MHSA (any/all pronouns)” and “Q: In the midst of all we are facing, where do you find disabled Trans joy right now?” Below is the second part of Mani’s answer in white text that reads “Getting to imagine and actualize worlds that support the needs, interests, passions, and desires of my people — people of color, disabled people, queer and Trans people — makes me feel not only joyous, but safe and hopeful. In the midst of all of this chaos, harm, violence, bigotry, and hatred, succumbing to these conditions feels easy, but meeting this moment with authenticity, creativity, and love feels like freedom.” Below is the Disability Culture Lab logo in white. At the top, in the middle, is a white square made of circles in lines. On either side are two light pink arrows pointing out. In the bottom right corner is the page number “3.”

We need more than visibility this #tdov, we need joy and liberation. Mani Vinson, a Black, Trans, neurodivergent narrative strategist and activist scholar, shares how community brings joy and solace: “Meeting this moment with authenticity, creativity, and love feels like freedom.”

On a royal blue background, white text reads “Oswin Latimer (fae/them).” Above is a circle picture of Oswin, a Native American person holding a microphone and faer phone while sitting on a chair on a stage. Faer hair is dark brown and braided, and fae is wearing a red shirt with black vest and tinted glasses. On either side of the picture are light blue framing sections. Below is Oswin’s bio in white text that reads “Oswin Latimer is a Trans, bigender, Autistic, Choctaw person who has dedicated nearly 20 years to working against supremacism within the neurodiversity movement. Fae is the founding director of Foundations for Divergent Minds and previously worked for the Autistic Self Advocacy Network as the Director of Community Engagement.” Below is the Disability Culture Lab logo in white. At the top, in the middle, is a white square made of circles in lines. On either side are two light pink arrows pointing out. In the bottom right corner is the page number “1.”

On a royal blue background is a circle picture of Oswin Latimer (fae/them), a Native American person holding a microphone and faer phone while sitting on a chair on a stage. Faer hair is dark brown and braided, and fae is wearing a red shirt with black vest and tinted glasses. To the right is text reading “Oswin Latimer (fae/them)” and “Q: In the midst of all we are facing, where do you find disabled Trans joy right now?” Below is Oswin’s answer in white text that reads “As an Autistic person, I can struggle with social interactions if there’s not a structured environment. Every chance I can, whether at home in Texas or traveling for work, I find a dive bar with karaoke. Even in the most exurban, small town Texas environment, I get to perform everything from The Cranberries to Johnny Cash and get the crowd going. It’s pure joy to be received in my full self even if it doesn’t click to them who they're vibing with.” Below is the Disability Culture Lab logo in white. At the top, in the middle, is a white square made of circles in lines. On either side are two light pink arrows pointing out. In the bottom right corner is the page number “2.”

Disabled Trans joy is revolutionary, but how do we find it? We asked six disabled Trans organizers for #tdov. For Trans Choctaw organizer and director of @fdmorg.bsky.social, @oglatimer.bsky.social, karaoke is an entry point for connection and joy as an Autistic person in unfamiliar spaces.

On a royal blue background, white text reads “Jaz Williams (he/him).” Above is a circle picture of Jaz, a Black, biracial Trans man, wearing a gray mask, speaking into a microphone. His hair is curly and pulled back into a ponytail. He is wearing a black and pink Clipse T-shirt. On either side of the picture are light pink framing sections. Below is Jaz’s bio in white text that reads “Jaz Williams is a Trans disability rights organizer passionate about mutual aid, education, and collective liberation. When Jaz isn't working, you can find him world-building for his D&D campaign or obsessing over gay vampires.” Below is the Disability Culture Lab logo in white. At the top, in the middle, is a white square made of circles in lines. On either side are two light pink arrows pointing out. In the bottom right corner is the page number “1.”

On a royal blue background is a circle picture of Jaz, a Black, biracial Trans man, wearing a gray mask, speaking into a microphone. His hair is curly and pulled back into a ponytail. He is wearing a black and pink Clipse T-shirt. To the right is text reading “Jaz Williams (he/him) and “Q: In the midst of all we are facing, where do you find disabled Trans joy right now?” Below is the first part of Jaz’s answer in white text that reads “I'm a hedonistic creature with a lust for life. It’s very important to seek that spark where you can find it. For me, it lives at the intersections of community, art, and pleasure. I watch everyday as mutual aid and care networks change lives in my community and it keeps hope alive for me.” Below is the Disability Culture Lab logo in white. At the top, in the middle, is a white square made of circles in lines. On either side are two light pink arrows pointing out. In the bottom right corner is the page number “2.”

On a royal blue background is a circle picture of Jaz, a Black, biracial Trans man, wearing a gray mask, speaking into a microphone. His hair is curly and pulled back into a ponytail. He is wearing a black and pink Clipse T-shirt. To the right is text reading “Jaz Williams (he/him) and “Q: In the midst of all we are facing, where do you find disabled Trans joy right now?” Below is the second part of Jaz’s answer in white text that reads “Without hope there is no joy. It creates an environment in which these fundamentally human needs can’t be met. But I know from our history that our communities are fierce and wise. Our elders have overcome so much and still found the time to bask in the joys of life. For them, I always make time for joy.” Below is the Disability Culture Lab logo in white. At the top, in the middle, is a white square made of circles in lines. On either side are two light pink arrows pointing out. In the bottom right corner is the page number “3.”

Disabled Trans joy is revolutionary. Jaz Williams, a Trans disability rights organizer on where he finds that joy in this moment: “Our elders have overcome so much and still found the time to bask in the joys of life. For them, I always make time for joy.” #tdov

On a royal blue background, white text reads “Ericka Ayodele Dixon (they/them).” Above is a circle picture of Ericka, a Black nonbinary person, smiling with long purple braids wearing a cream shirt with green horizontal stripes, a light pink blazer and jeans. On either side of the picture are light blue framing sections. Below is Ericka’s bio in white text that reads “Ericka Ayodele Dixon is a Black, queer, disabled, nonbinary person currently serving as the Disability Project Senior National Organizer at the Transgender Law Center. Ericka is an experienced teacher, facilitator, and organizer working at the intersections of disability, racial, and gender justice, and grounds everything they do using a queer, Black, feminist lens.” Below is the Disability Culture Lab logo in white. At the top, in the middle, is a white square made of circles in lines. On either side are two light pink arrows pointing out. In the bottom right corner is the page number “1.”

On a royal blue background is a circle picture of Ericka, a Black nonbinary person, smiling with long purple braids wearing a cream shirt with green horizontal stripes, a light pink blazer and jeans. To the right is text reading “Ericka Ayodele Dixon (they/them) and “Q: In the midst of all we are facing, where do you find disabled Trans joy right now?” Below is the first part of Ericka’s answer in white text that reads “I find joy as a disabled Trans person difficult to access with all the things going on in the world right now. I do find deep solace and comfort in moving with curiosity each day and working to exist in a world where I am able to embody my ancestors’ dreams and hopes.” Below is the Disability Culture Lab logo in white. At the top, in the middle, is a white square made of circles in lines. On either side are two light pink arrows pointing out. In the bottom right corner is the page number “2.”

On a royal blue background is a circle picture of Ericka, a Black nonbinary person, smiling with long purple braids wearing a cream shirt with green horizontal stripes, a light pink blazer and jeans. To the right is text reading “Ericka Ayodele Dixon (they/them) and “Q: In the midst of all we are facing, where do you find disabled Trans joy right now?” Below is the second part of Ericka’s answer in white text that reads “Black people make a world out of nothing, and I hold onto the idea that my people are fighters, organizers, and survivors. I often think about where I will be in the next few years and the possibility of more joy, ease, intimacy, laughter, and moments with Huey, my little Black panther (he’s my cat)!” Below is the Disability Culture Lab logo in white. At the top, in the middle, is a white square made of circles in lines. On either side are two light pink arrows pointing out. In the bottom right corner is the page number “3.”

Disabled Trans joy is revolutionary. This #tdov Trans folks need more than visibility. Here’s Ericka Ayodele Dixon from the Transgender Law Center: “I find joy as a disabled Trans person difficult to access right now… but I find deep solace in moving with curiosity each day.”

Background is an eggshell-colored square with a red border. At the top is the Disability Culture Lab logo in teal. Below the logo are two square pictures. On the left is Meier Galblum Haigh, a white trans-masc nonbinary person with short cropped dark curly hair in a masculine blue suit and light blue linen shirt. They are smiling warmly and sitting confidently in a black mobility scooter in downtown DC in front of an accessible downtown arts district. On the right is Kenrya Rankin, a dark-skinned Black woman with big, dark brown, kinky hair styled in a twistout, wearing black-rimmed glasses, hot pink lipstick, and a big smile. She is also wearing a shirt with a hot pink, blue, yellow print. The background is white. Below the photos is the Grantmakers in the Arts’ publication and podcast logo in blue and white, “The GIA Reader.” Underneath the logo, the quote from GIA in dark teal text reads, “AI is often framed as either a miracle tool or a looming threat, but what does it actually mean for disabled artists navigating grants, fellowships, and creative partnerships? In this episode, Meier Galblum Haigh and Kenrya Rankin from Disability Culture Lab take over the GIA podcast to unpack the realities of AI, from access tools to authorship, labor, and institutional policy.” Below, dark teal text reads “linktr.ee/DisabilityCultureLab.” In the bottom right corner is page number “1.”

Background is an eggshell-colored square with a red border. At the top is the Disability Culture Lab logo in teal. Below the logo is the Grantmakers in the Arts’ publication and podcast logo in blue and white, “The GIA Reader.” To the right is a square photo of Meier Galblum Haigh, a white trans-masc nonbinary person with short cropped dark curly hair in a masculine blue suit and light blue linen shirt. They are smiling warmly and sitting confidently in a black mobility scooter in downtown DC in front of an accessible downtown arts district. Below is a quote from Meier that reads: “What does it mean to use art to subsidize the bonus of someone like Elon Musk? Especially when our art is meant to express liberation. We need better AI policies and better organizing at this intersection of AI, [disability community], and the arts.” Below, dark teal text reads “Meier Galblum Haigh (they/them), Executive Director.” At the bottom of the page, eggshell text over the red border reads “linktr.ee/DisabilityCultureLab.” In the bottom right corner is page number “2.”

Background is an eggshell-colored square with a red border. At the top is the Disability Culture Lab logo in teal. Below the logo is the Grantmakers in the Arts’ publication and podcast logo in blue and white, “The GIA Reader.” To the right is a square photo of Kenrya Rankin, a dark-skinned Black woman with big, dark brown, kinky hair styled in a twistout, wearing black-rimmed glasses, hot pink lipstick, and a big smile. She is also wearing a shirt with a hot pink, blue, yellow print. The background is white. Below is a quote from Kenrya that reads: “Techno-solutionism is not going to save us. Life has shown us that many of the problems that folks are actually seeking to solve via AI are really failures of the state. Why are folks feeling like they need to use AI to do applications, or to apply for something like Social Security Disability Insurance? Because the administrative burden is just too hard to bear on top of the Crip Tax that we already pay that makes it difficult for us to move through this world, because it’s not built for us.” Below, dark teal text reads “Kenrya Rankin (she/her), Managing Director.” At the bottom of the page, eggshell text over the red border reads “linktr.ee/DisabilityCultureLab.” In the bottom right corner is page number “3.”

Meier Galblum Haigh @mghaigh.bsky.social and Kenrya Rankin @kenrya.bsky.social “unpack the realities of AI, from access tools to authorship, labor, and institutional policy" on a new podcast episode from Grantmakers in the Arts. Listen now & read the transcript at linktr.ee/DisabilityCultureLab.

💕💕

Reposted for visibility! ❣️ @drkalyncoghill.blacksky.team

Background is a light blue square with a light pink border. At the top is the Disability Culture Lab logo in teal. Below the logo is a square picture of Dr. KáLyn “Kay” Coghill, a Black femme with multi-colored glasses, a tan shirt, and short blonde and pink hair sitting in front of a gold and white bookshelf filled with different books of multiple colors and sizes. Below the photo is the headline of their Essence magazine op-ed: “I’ve Battled Racist Online Trolls For Years. AI Is A Whole Different Beast.” Underneath the headline, the quote from Dr. Coghill in teal text reads, “Where online trolls have long perpetuated racist narratives through words, now they can do the same via images churned out in seconds and spread online even faster. But despite its name, AI can’t shake the fact that it has human DNA. AI mimics what real people, not robots, program it to do and the data it does it with.” Below the quote reads, "Dr. KáLyn “Kay” Coghill (they/them), Disability Rising Fellow" in all caps. At the bottom is teal text that says, “Read Now: linktr.ee/DisabilityCultureLab.”

Disability Rising Fellow and Black feminist scholar @drkalyncoghill.blacksky.team recently wrote an op-ed for ESSENCE where they speak to the ways AI amplifies racist attacks against Black nonbinary, agender, and gender-variant people. Read now: linktr.ee/DisabilityCultureLab.

Reposted for visibility ❣️ @drkalyncoghill.blacksky.team

Of course! It's a great, important op-ed!

Amazing!!

GJ, a tall white person with thick, wavy, and mottled hair, looks leftward wearing glasses, a black KN95, and a black T-shirt. The shirt features a graphic of a white mask and a multicolor text: Masks are COMMUNITY CARE, DISABILITY CULTURE LAB>>, followed by a small print union logo. In the background is a grassy hill and several early spring trees before an overcast sky.

Black and white photo of G.J. wearing the same shirt and light cargo shorts. Their clean-shaven face is bare with a slight smile; the KN95 is hanging like a bracelet from one of the wrists posed at their hips. Behind them is an urban river, a 4-lane bridge, and fluffy clouds.

Photo of G.J., a tall white person in their 40s, leaning back on a red metal fixture (a circular bench), playfully kicking out one foot and facing the sky. They wear the same T-Shirt and glasses, salmon-colored shorts, and black hiking boots with dark, striped socks. Their black KN95 dangles from one hand. They are surrounded by sidewalk and gravel. Behind grassy hills and trees, a 4-story apartment complex looms over the horizon.

After caregiving, I went to grad school to "relearn my brain" and the past two years I've leaned into Disability Justice as I "relearn my body". DJ folks are connected to EVERYONE.

Big thanks to @disabilitylab.bsky.social for this great shirt and ilanaa.p on IG for taking these photos!

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Image left side: Text reads, “What wonders would emerge from the earth.” Illustration depicts fiddlehead ferns spiraling in on themselves.  Image right side: The image depicts a forest floor and the trunk of a redwood tree, covered in moss,  mushrooms, and ferns. Text reads, “If juiceless plants were encouraged to flourish?”

I'm grateful for @disabilitylab.bsky.social's new venture, Disability Culture Currents, which explores the intersections of disability identity and culture through opinion, personal essay, and graphic storytelling.

Tonight, I’m feeling so very seen by Robin Larisch's comic “Juiceless.”

The background is dark teal with a repeating lightning bolt pattern. There is a vertical blue line to the left with a single bright green lightning bolt above it. To the right is a quote in white text that reads “We exist within a connection of systems and structures that create the conditions for disabling events and then push disabled people to their deaths as quickly as possible.”, with “systems” and “structures” in teal with light blue block highlights. Below in white text is the author name and occupation: “mav vega, Writer + Artist.” Underneath is the title of the article: “Pooled Blood.” In the bottom left corner is the Disability Culture Currents logo, which has white and bright green text that reads “Disability Culture Currents,” with a green lightning bolt icon to the right. In the bottom right corner, white text reads “Link in bio: tinyurl.com/DCCurrents.”

Our fifth featured piece for the Disability Culture Currents launch is “Pooled Blood” by mav vega. Read the full article now at the link in our bio at tinyurl.com/DCCurrents.

The background is dark teal with a repeating lightning bolt pattern. The top header reads in all caps: “New! On Currents”, with a bright green highlight behind “New!”, bright yellow highlight behind “on”, and a light pink highlight behind “Currents.” To the right of the lightning bolt is teal text in a bright yellow highlight that reads “Listen to Black disabled voices.” Underneath is the a bright orange rectangle with rounded edges, and the cover of the illustrated story. The cover has an image of an orange on a branch and two orange peels without flesh. Text reads “Juiceless. Robin Larisch.” Below in white text is “by” with two pink lines on either side, and then underneath is the author name and occupation: “Robin E. Larisch (they/them), Illustrator + Educator.” In the bottom left corner is the Disability Culture Currents logo, which has white and bright green text that reads “Disability Culture Currents,” with a green lightning bolt icon to the right. In the bottom right corner, white text reads “Link in bio: tinyurl.com/DCCurrents.”

Our fourth featured piece for the Disability Culture Currents launch is “Juiceless” by Robin E. Larisch, a nine-page poetry comic reflecting on the perceived value of productivity as it relates to disabled bodyminds. View the full comic now at the link in our bio at tinyurl.com/DCCurrents.

When Fear Crosses the Border: Deportation Protests and the Illusion of Safety in Canada Podcast Episode · Reflections · March 5 · 28m

I was interviewed about how disabled people are impacted by ICE and other immigration policies by a Canadian news podcast. You can listen here. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...

The background is dark teal with a repeating lightning bolt pattern. There is a vertical yellow line to the left with a single bright green lightning bolt above it. To the right of the lightning bolt is teal text in a bright yellow highlight that reads “Listen to Black disabled voices.” Underneath is the second quote in white text that reads “We exist and are often not given the same amount of empathy or understanding as our white disabled counterparts.” Below in white text is the author name and occupation: “Jhónelle Bean (she/her), Disability Advocate With Tourette Syndrome.” Underneath is the title of the article: “Listen to Black Disabled People on the BAFTAs” In the bottom left corner is the Disability Culture Currents logo, which has white and bright green text that reads “Disability Culture Currents,” with a green lightning bolt icon to the right. In the bottom right corner, white text reads “Link in bio: tinyurl.com/DCCurrents.”

Our third featured piece for the Disability Culture Currents launch is “Listen to Black Disabled People on the BAFTAs” by Jhónelle Bean. Read the full article now at the link in our bio at tinyurl.com/DCCurrents.