Outsiders Trust
shy, disabled, socially isolated people living life to the full
empowering • educating • supporting • challenging • campaigning
4S Leroy House
436 Essex Road
London N1 3QP
www.outsiders.org.uk
Harriet Harman QC, MP
Government Equalities Office
Ashdown House
123 Victoria Street
London SW1E 6DE
19th February 2008
Dear Harriet Harman,
I am writing to you as founder and Chair of Outsiders, a community of disabled people with over 500 members.
I write to you as Cabinet Minister for Women and Equality, and one of the people leading the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill 2008.
On 9th February 2008, disabled Outsiders members at our London Club Lunch were invited by myself to join in a discussion on the Bill, and an overwhelming majority enthusiastically gathered together to express their views.
We discussed the consequences for disabled people if clauses 123-126 of the Bill were made law, or it became illegal to pay for sex or download and possess extreme pornography.
Both disabled men and women expressed anger that disabled people have not been considered or consulted about these clauses or the many amendments being brought forward in the Bill to criminalise clients of sex workers. Many of us rely on sex workers and extreme pornography, as it is sometimes almost impossible to find a partner. Members said it would make disabled people feel even more hopeless. They said "everybody needs a sexual outlet and this Bill would cut theirs off".
They asked that I gather testimonies from sex workers and people who work in extreme pornography, to prove they are not forced. This I have done, and the list of testimonies is enclosed. [
Read the testimonies here]
I am therefore asking if you would meet with a small delegation of disabled people to discuss the matter.
Some of our members' needs include wheelchair accessible brothels with hoists and the appropriate equipment, and sex workers trained to help deaf-blind, paralysed and other severely disabled men and women discover their sexual potentials and experience pleasure.
I look forward to your reply.
Very best wishes,
Dr Tuppy Owens
Founder of Outsiders
Copies (similar letters) sent to:
Mrs Barbara Follet MP, also at the Government Equalities Office
Maria Eagle MP, ex-disability minister
Vera Baird QC, MP
Vernon Coaker, MP
The Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, OBE
