Being openly queer or getting essential care? Queer disabled people’s experience navigating their sexual citizenship with personal assistance services in Norway

Existing within the intersection of two frequently marginalized identities, being queer and disabled, can create unique life experiences for queer disabled people. This qualitative study presents the experiences of nine queer disabled people using personal assistance services in Norway. The findings from this study show that having personal assistance services could both be a hindrance and a possibility for queer disabled people in accessing and exercising their sexual citizenship and living out their queer identity. Some felt that personal assistance services were crucial for them to be able to express their identity, while others felt that having personal assistance services was a barrier to living their queer life, as they feared they would lose their personal assistants or be subjected to homophobia/transphobia from them. Some revealed their queerness when recruiting new personal assistants, while others limited their sexual citizenship to maintain a professional relationship with their personal assistant. Based on the discussion, the article suggests that to ensure access to sexual citizenship also for disabled people, municipalities and service providers must address sexuality and provide support for both disabled people and personal assistants, especially when it comes to meeting queer disabled people’s needs.