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= Toward Intimacy =

Toward Intimacy is a 1992 Canadian documentary film directed by Debbie McGee and produced by the National Film Board of Canada’s women’s unit, Studio D. The film is a “cross-disability affirmation” that focuses on the lives of four disabled women from across Canada and their search for intimacy through romantic and sexual relationships. The film focuses on the women’s personal experiences with an emphasis on sexuality, self-esteem, stereotyping, and parenting. The film highlights the lives of four disabled women: a blind woman who is the single mother of four sons, a deaf lesbian woman, a woman from St. Johns with cerebral palsy and a history of sexual abuse, and a woman from Newfoundland with a disfiguring bone disorder who had just recently married an able-bodied man.

Participants

 * Helen Spurrell


 * Barbara Celu Amberston


 * Gail St. Croix


 * Amethya Weaver

Themes: Disability, Women and Disability, Disabled Women’s Sexuality

Awards and Honours

 * American Psychological Association, 1993 [3]


 * Gold Apple, National Educational Film & Video Festival, 1993 [3]


 * National Women's Studies Association, 1993 [3]

Praise and Criticism
Toward Intimacy received generally favorable reviews from critics. Jeani Read praised the resiliency of the women depicted in the film, writing in the Province that “Toward Intimacy is very much about breaking down the barriers, helping people realize disabled people are not abnormal, just different.” Conversely, Herizons magazine notes “there is a curious avoidance of displays of physical affection. Even the few kisses and hugs or meaningful touches, left us wanting more” but that the film “paves the way for more frank and empowering portrayals of women with disabilities.”[1] Shayla Sabada praised the scope of the film, stating that “not only did [McGee] give a platform for women with disabilities to seek recognition but also [validated] the experience of women with disabilities in Canada.” (https://clga.ca/newsfeed/wita-sex-women-disability/)

See Also: References: [1]Toward intimacy: Self-esteem, sexuality & love in the lives of women with disabilities. (1993, Fall). Herizons, 7, 42-43. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.lib.ucalgary.ca/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.lib.ucalgary.ca/docview/212395075?accountid=9838 [2] Helen Henderson, T. S. (1993, Feb 27). Intimate look at relationships. Toronto Star. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.lib.ucalgary.ca/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.lib.ucalgary.ca/docview/436796379?accountid=9838 [3]https://search.alexanderstreet.com/preview/work/bibliographic_entity%7Cvideo_work%7C1785146 Further Reading: External Links: