Intersectionality is at the heart of Mark Whitley’s work as president and CEO of Easterseals Southern California, the largest Easterseals Disability Services affiliate organization, which serves nearly 20,000 people every day. It provides autism therapy, adult/senior day services, child development/early education, residential/independent living services, employment services, and more.
Easterseals recently launched the “D1$@B1L*tY Is Not a Dirty Word” multimedia campaign, one of its efforts to change the way the world defines and views disability. “It’s important to note how critical a role LGBTQ+ creators, talent, writers, filmmakers, and more [have played]. Many also disabled themselves, [they] have actively supported and been fully included within these efforts,” says Whitley, who is gay.“
The sheer notion of ‘Disability Pride’ is inspired by the example established by our long-fought LGBTQ+ equality efforts and one that Easterseals is proud to amplify and celebrate,” he says, adding, “The LGBTQ+ community is part of our disability community and vice versa.… Together, the LGBTQ+ and disability communities have so much to offer the nation and our world. Our intersectionality is our power and pride.” @eastersealssocal
