Image courtesy of Alice Xue Photography.
Smashing stereotypes and starting “taboo” conversations—this is the kind of bold advocacy that reshapes how we think about disability and sexuality. Andrew Gurza has long been redefining the boundaries of what it means to be an advocate, pushing for greater inclusivity in spaces where disability is often overlooked or stigmatized. As an established member of the queer and disabled community, his work has been critical in challenging the community’s societal perceptions and bringing visibility to disabled experiences. Most importantly, his advocacy through his social media presence has ignited crucial conversations within his demographic as well as among non-disabled people.
Gurza always knew he was a queer kid, and because of his disability due to cerebral palsy, he was determined to carve his path in a world that often excluded people like him. After earning his Master’s in Legal and Disability Studies, he became involved in various projects spotlighting the importance of inclusivity. Gurza has been working for thirteen years in the sexuality space, writing for magazines like Huffington Post and the Advocate.
His biggest claim to fame began with the #DisabledPeopleAreHot hashtag. “I was bored one night,” Gurza said. At home, he posted the tweet and created the hashtag, hoping to send a positive message. The public’s response was sudden and unexpected. The following morning, Gurza received an influx of tweets from empowered disabled people celebrating their beauty and sexuality. Major network channels and reporters asked to interview him for his bold middle finger towards stereotypes about attractiveness and disability. Gurza expressed how lucky he is to share his work and have such a broad reach through his platform from his bedroom. He also reflected on the ability to offer non-disabled audiences a new perspective by demonstrating the community that has grown around his message.
He soon started a podcast, Disability After Dark, which has been another key platform for conversations surrounding the disabled and queer community. Now approaching its 373rd episode, the podcast began as a space for Gurza to speak candidly on “sexy talk” as a disabled individual. However, the podcast soon expanded to cover a range of topics within the sphere of the disabled and queer sexual experience. Gurza’s raw, authentic content provides a rare, safe space to engage in uncomfortable discussions for both disabled and non-disabled listeners. For some of his guests, he likes asking questions such as, “What would happen if you became disabled tomorrow?” These questions push guests and non-disabled listeners to consider the realities of disabilities. Beyond podcasting, Gurza’s drive to foster inclusivity extends to his consulting work, where he advises companies and production teams on how to make their events completely accessible. One such example includes working with the producers of the TV show Queer as Folk to organize a sex party scene and make it as inclusive as possible.
Gurza’s commitment to inclusive design goes beyond consulting for media; it is also the driving force behind Bump’n, a company he co-founded with his non-disabled sister to create an inclusive sex toy for all disabled people. As the Chief Disability Officer, he was involved in product development and consulted a wide variety of individuals with disabilities, ensuring that the designs met a range of needs. “We did a lot of community consultation to make sure that the Bump’n toy would be inclusive for all, not just a toy for one specific disability,” Gurza said.
The company’s groundbreaking mission came with challenges, though—particularly the high costs and resources required to sustainably produce all of the necessary hardware. In the end, Bump’n discontinued their products. Still, Gurza remains proud of the conversations sparked by the company’s existence alone. He shared how enlightening it was to partner with his sister on the project, as their combined perspectives allowed for even greater understanding. He also encouraged other partnerships between disabled and non-disabled individuals to advance disability inclusion in the future.
Gurza’s work has redefined norms around sexuality and disability, leaving an indelible impact and building a foundation upon which future advocates can expand. Through his unfiltered content and his work spreading disability awareness, Gurza has reshaped how society sees and understands disability, demonstrating that inclusivity is not just possible—it is essential.