“Human, too human”
Conference “Human, Too Human”, Turin (ITALY), 22/05/2025
Disability and sexuality
In 2016, the World Health Organisation equated the right to sexual health with human rights in general. Sexuality, therefore, has fully entered among the components that create a person’s well-being. All persons with disabilities have the right to achieve full social and sexual maturity and to experience opportunities to develop friendships and romantic relationships. However, there are still many prejudices concerning the sexuality of people with disabilities, such as the belief that they are incapable of learning sexual aspects, that they are asexual or hypersexual, and that they do not have affective needs similar to those of others.
Conference “Human, too Human”
This article is dedicated to the “Human, Too Human” conference held in Turin, Italy, on 22 May 2025. The team from the University of Turin participated in a training day on the topics of sexuality and disability. During the day, psychologists, educators and activists with disabilities took the stage. During all the talks, the Visual Recording technique was used, which allows the contents of the talk itself to be translated in real time into images and key words, thus making it possible to visualise the concepts and connections between the topics discussed.
Key points of the conference:
- Sexuality is a right for all;
- It is necessary to ensure free access to clear and adequate information on reproductive health and rights, contraceptive methods, sex education, safe abortion, gynaecological care and parenting support;
- It is necessary to combat prejudices related to sexuality and persons with disabilities;
- Multidisciplinary care makes it possible to accommodate people with disabilities in their complexity, facilitating communication and promoting educational action on reproductive health and sexuality.
A unique opportunity to promote the services developed by the city of Turin to promote the sexual and reproductive health of people with disabilities. In particular, the themes of sexual health, sexual behaviour, affectivity, relationships and consent were addressed. In the afternoon, an intense debate brought to attention the issues of reproductive rights, the need for affectivity education and respectful and intersectional sexuality.
SEXUALITY IS A RIGHT FOR ALL!
As an initiative aimed at reducing episodes of discrimination and prejudice among healthcare workers, the ASSIST Project supports training and wellbeing promotion events for persons with disabilities, such as the one held at the ‘Human, Too Human’ conference. Sexuality is not a secondary issue, but a fundamental building block for everyone’s well-being. Discussing sexuality means acknowledging that everyone, free from coercion and discrimination, has the right to a fulfilling, safe and enjoyable emotional and social life.
Figures 1 and 2. Visual recording produced during the conference
We would like to thank Giada Morandi, coordinator of the Fior di Loto project, and all the organisers for realising the conference and sharing its materials.