5 Disabled LGBTQ+ Activists Fighting for an Inclusive World
Powerful activists who are rewriting the narrative, and making space for all of us.
Hey guys,
Happy Pride Month! As June comes to an end, I want to celebrate the beautiful and powerful intersection of disability and LGBTQ+ identity by highlighting five disabled activists who are also proud members of the LGBTQ+ community.
And just in time—this post also happens to fall the same day as the 10th anniversary of Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark Supreme Court case that legalized same-sex marriage across the United States. Isn’t it perfect timing to honor love, pride, and the fight for inclusion. Yippee! 💍 Just so you know, I didn’t plan this!
Did you know that approximately 3 to 5 million disabled people in the U.S. identify as LGBTQ+? That’s a huge number—and yet, their stories are underrepresented in both disability and queer spaces. These five individuals are creating change in fashion, media, politics, and beyond, while pushing for a world that celebrates inclusion, pride, and disability justice. And there are more individuals who are changing the narrative by using their voices and educating others to create a more accepting and diverse space for everyone!
Here are five incredible leaders you should know:
Aariana Rose (she/her)
Aariana Rose is a proud queer trans woman with cerebral palsy who is changing the face of fashion. She has modeled for Calvin Klein, Victoria’s Secret, Sephora, and more, but her biggest breakthrough came when she became the first disabled woman to walk the runway for a major luxury brand, Moschino, at New York Fashion Week.
Her impact doesn’t stop there. Rose was featured on the May 2023 cover of British Vogue and showcased in the MET Museum’s "Women Dressing Women" exhibit as a custom mannequin, collaborating with the fashion brand Collina Strada. She has also modeled for INDIE, El País, and several other prominent global magazines. Aariana uses her platform to advocate for the inclusion of people with disabilities in fashion, as well as LGBTQ+ visibility, demonstrating that beauty and style can be found in all bodies. She’s not just rolling down and owning the runways; she’s removing barriers for others to follow.
Keah Brown (she/her)
Keah Brown is a Black disabled bisexual woman who is a journalist, author, screenwriter, speaker, and a studying actress. Keah Brown studied journalism and minored in Creative Writing at the State University of New York at Fredonia. She is the writer of three acclaimed books:
The Pretty One (an essay collection about disability and self-love)
Sam’s Super Seats (a children’s book)
The Secret Summer Promise (a YA novel featuring a queer disabled teen). This is her latest book.
Brown is also the creator of the hashtag #DisabledAndCute, which has gone viral for celebrating disabled joy and beauty. Her writing has appeared in Teen Vogue, Allure, Harper’s Bazaar, Essence, and Netflix. Keah gave a moving TED Talk in 2020 titled “Choosing Joy, Ambition, and Self-Love,” where she shared how she came to embrace her body and identity in a world that often sends disabled people the opposite message. Today, she is co-writing a musical and is entering into the TV and film world. She continues to share her journey and discuss disability joy in her content and books, ensuring positive representation in literature, film, and society.
Spencer West (he/him)
Spencer West is a gay disability rights advocate, motivational speaker, author, and content creator. He became an amputee at a very young age due to a genetic disease called Sacral Agenesis, which caused his legs to not work properly. He is known for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, opening for Demi Lovato’s 2014 world tour, and starred in the documentary “Redefine Possible: The Spencer West Story.” His memoir, Standing Tall: My Journey, is a best-seller that details how he turned personal hardship into activism.
West earned a communications degree from Westminster College in Utah, which laid the foundation of his career. He has used his platform to speak at the United Nations, in schools, and online about topics ranging from ableism to LGBTQ+ visibility. His videos are comprehensive, comical, and uplifting, which makes them fun to watch. Spencer West continues to use his voice to empower both communities to learn and stand up for themselves, their rights and others.
Mia Ives-Rublee (she/her)
Mia Ives-Rublee is a passionate disability activist, policy analyst, speaker, and social worker. She is a disabled Korean American women who is wheelchair user and identifies as queer. She completed her undergraduate degree in Sociology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She began her journey as an adapted athlete, competing globally in track, fencing, and several other sports during college. After graduation, she attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned her Master of Social Work degree. She began working to help and support disabled people find jobs and independence in their communities and towns at the NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Ives-Rublee is the founder of the Women’s March Disability Caucus, where she fought to make one of the nation’s largest protest movements more accessible.
She’s a policy expert who works on issues like employment discrimination, economic security, justice, and health care access. She also works on disability access and inclusion at the workplace and anywhere. She advocates for the Asian American communities and for more mental health resources. Ives-Rublee is also a frequent speaker and writer, known for addressing the intersections between ableism, racism, sexism, and homophobia. She currently serves as the Director of the Disability Justice Initiative at the Center for American Progress, where she pushes for inclusive policy solutions that center disabled voices. She has received awards, including the “2019 Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Social Work,” and has been recognized in “She the People's 20 Women of Color to Watch in 2020” and many other magazines. Mia’s work reminds us that access is not a luxury, it’s a right.
Chella Man (they/them)
Chella Man is a Deaf, genderqueer, transmasculine, Jewish-Chinese American artist, director, filmmaker, model, actor, and advocate. They are best known for playing Jericho in the DC Universe show Titans, becoming one of the first Deaf and gender-nonconforming actors to portray a superhero. They are also a YouTuber and speaker, known for sharing honest, artistic reflections on being Deaf, disabled, trans, and multiracial in a world that often struggles to understand complex identities. Chella continues to advocate for disability justice, trans rights, and accessibility in the arts. They want individuals to be themselves in every aspect.
In 2020, Man published Continuum, a short memoir exploring his transition, identity, and creative voice and mindset. They also collaborated with brands like Nike and Gap, pushing and wanting them to think more deeply about representation and inclusion. They had been awarded the “Forbes 30 under 30: Art & Style” in 2023. They have been showing their beautiful work in art galleries, shows, and many more. Through every art piece, fashion, film, and writing, Man reminds us that identity is not a limitation. It’s a canvas where you can create anything.
Why This Matters
These powerful activists are just a few of the many incredible LGBTQ+ disabled changemakers who are reshaping how we view culture, fashion, literature, cinema, and love. They challenge us to open our eyes and truly embrace difference. They remind us that representation, inclusion, and diversity aren’t optional—they’re essential. They’re not just needs; they are rights. And those rights are the foundation for real, lasting change.
We should uplift and celebrate these voices all year long, not just during Pride Month. Because Pride doesn’t end when June ends. Pride continues, every day, in how we show up for people, how we celebrate identity, and how we lead with love.
Love is love.
Let’s continue to celebrate and support all LGBTQ+ disabled and non-disabled individuals across the country and the world. Their stories, their art, their voices, and their leadership are changing the world, and they deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated every single day.
Love Enable Everything
**This is the opinion of Enable Everything. Please fact-check everything.**
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