Sexuality and people with psychiatric disabilities

This article explores the topic of sexuality and intimacy of people with se vere mental illness by addressing a series of questions about the nature of psychiatric disability and its effects on sexual identity and behavior. Af ter describing the characteristics of people with psychiatric disabilities, the paper explores where they fit in the disability rights movement and ex amines how society treats persons with psychiatric labels. Barriers to full sexual expression are explored, first, from consumer perspectives, and the n from the research literature, including a look at impediments to use of c ontraception and safer sex practices. Finally, the analysis asks a series o f questions about issues for women mental health consumers in the expressio n of their sexuality and access to women's health services along with sexua lity issues for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and HIV-positive consu mers. Finally, the paper concludes with suggestions for ways the disability community and larger society can support mental health consumers' efforts to freely express their sexuality and combat stigmatizing societal represen tations of it.