Blog: Intersectionality, Stammering & LGBTQ+: We need to have a chat

11th August 2022

Do you stammer and identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning or ace (LGBTQ+), or are you an ally? Then you are invited to join a safe space discussion on Wednesday 7th September from 6:30pm to 7:30pm, writes Vee Meyners.

Intersectionality is a term that is often used in critical theory, but what does it actually mean? In essence, intersectionality is the idea that people cannot be reduced to one identity or experience. It takes into account the ways in which various aspects of our identity — being female, male or non-binary, being gay, being Indian or British, being from a particular socioeconomic class, being Sikh or Atheist — overlap and interact with each other. 

Stammering as one aspect of intersectionality is often overlooked. Because it can be a non-visible disability, it isn't always obvious that Joe Bloggs has a stammer. Joe might use techniques to control it, or he might stammer covertly and switch words so that you can't even hear him involuntarily block or repeat syllables. He might not admit to having a stammer in public for fear of being judged or mocked. To make matters more complex, some people see their stammer as a disability, and some don't. Here's the legal position, and it turns out it's not always that clear when it comes to stammering.

Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there.

As Network & Campaigns Lead, my job at STAMMA is to bring communities together to create a connection between people and to enable them to share their experiences. After London Pride in July, I was contacted by a member of the STAMMA community who asked whether I would facilitate a session for people who identify as LGBTQ+. That's why I'd like to invite you to join a safe space discussion. It is open to people who stammer and identify as LGBTQ+ and I extend this invitation to their allies. We want to have brave and open conversations, learn from one another, and support each other in a non-judgemental environment. Join us on Wednesday 7th September from 6:30pm to 7:30pm! 

Get in touch with me at communities@stamma.org if you'd like to receive the Zoom link for the meeting. You don't have to turn on your camera or speak if you feel more comfortable to just listen, and you can use the chat function to contribute to the discussion. I really look forward to hearing from you. 

Please also message me if you'd be interested in discussing a different aspect of intersectionality. I'm happy to create a safe space for you. Different aspects of intersectionality, whether it is LGBTQ+, STAMMA's Women Who Stammer support group or other identities, should be discussed more openly, and I want to create safe spaces for all of them.

Vee Meyners is Network & Campaigns Lead at STAMMA. To read more about the team, see our Who We Are page.