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In This Body | Exploring Disability and Desire

@inthisbodyproject

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A collection of stories and photos of intimacy through a disabled lens
Created by @riizzyray and @monicaconroy
Photographed by @anneliesehorowitz

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We’re so excited to introduce to you our project: In This Body.

In This Body is a photo book featuring intimate and artistic portraits of disabled individuals alongside short, first-person interviews reflecting on intimacy, desire, sexuality, relationships, and self-perception.

For as long as humans have existed, we have been shaped by narrow standards of beauty and desirability. As disabled people, we have historically been excluded from those standards, often positioned as incompatible with intimacy or sexual expression.

This project seeks to change that narrative.

We hope you join us on this beautiful journey we are embarking on. Exciting times await us. by @inthisbodyproject

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7 months ago

Meet Rachel!

Rachel is one of the creative directors of the In This Body project. She is a disabled creator and storyteller based in New York City. Her work is driven by her own lived experiences navigating a world that often misunderstands or erases disabled people as a visible part of life.

“As someone who has lived my entire life as a disabled person, I know first hand the type of struggles we face. Not just on a physical level, but on an emotional one as well. I feel like these emotional struggles are not talked about enough, especially when it comes to topics like intimacy, relationships, and desire. It’s almost like a taboo and it shouldn’t be. Disabled people are just as deserving of experiencing love, in all its forms, as anyone else. And that is not a discussion that should be up for debate.” by @inthisbodyproject

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7 months ago

Meet Monica!

Monica is one of our creative directors for the In This Body project. She is a New York City based creative director with a background in musical theatre and graphic design. She has collaborated with artists and creators around the city to shape meaningful visual narratives through thoughtful creative direction and intentional design. Her work is rooted in amplifying underrepresented voices and revealing the beauty within stories that often go untold.

“As someone with ADHD, I have carried the “weird girl” stigma with me my whole life. It has always made navigating intimacy within both romantic and platonic relationships particularly challenging. As I got older I began exploring all areas of self expression. For me, every body has its own unique way of showcasing individuality. We just need to open the doors for some of these stories to be heard.” by @inthisbodyproject

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7 months ago

✨ BEYOND ACCESS: Disability, Intimacy & Sexual Health ✨

What does it mean to feel fully seen, supported, and connected?

Join the Forum on Female Sexual Medicine on November 7th at Positive Exposure Gallery in NYC for an afternoon exploring disability, intimacy, sexuality, and sexual health. Together, we’ll challenge assumptions, open up conversations that are too often left out, and explore what it means to support the whole person — beyond access alone.

Featuring a special conversation with disability advocate and journalist Maya Moore, moderated by Aditi Mahajan, MD.

💌 Free to attend, with donations welcome. RSVP at the link in bio by @inthisbodyproject

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14 hours ago

Our second newsletter is out now. This month we talk about invisible disabilities, access to basic healthcare, and what’s in store for In This Body in the coming months.

Link in b!o! by @inthisbodyproject

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20 hours ago

Meet @theaustinhalls!

Austin is a disabled pop star, model, creator, and inclusion advocate based in New York. He was born with Moebius Syndrome, a condition causing facial paralysis. He’s walked in New York Fashion Week, worked with brands like Google, performed in spaces connected to the GRAMMYs, and is a voting member of the New York Chapter of the Recording Academy.

“I like making things that make people feel something. Music, fashion, photography, videos, whatever it is. My disability is part of my story, but it’s not the only interesting thing about me.”

Austin will be featured in the first edition of In This Body. by @inthisbodyproject

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2 days ago

WANTED: TAROT/PALM READER

We are still in search of a tarot/ palm reader to join us at our Open Burlesque Night!

DM @inthisbodyproject or email us at inthisbodyproject@gmail.com Wanted tarot/ palm readers for a burlesque show dec 1st 2026 DM in this body project for submission taken in New York, New York by @inthisbodyproject

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10 days ago

In our conversation with @farleyemmak, we spoke about how when it comes to dating a disabled person, many people already make up their minds about you before even getting to know you, and how devastating it can be to feel like you’re an immediate no just because you’re disabled.

Emma also spoke about how the film industry directly contributes to the way society sees disabled people, and what ways she thinks the industry can improve to support disabled talent.

Emma’s full interview and photoshoot will be available to read in the first edition of In This Body. by @inthisbodyproject

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11 days ago

Meet Emma! @farleyemmak

Emma Farley, originally from Wisconsin, now lives in Bushwick and is working towards her Master’s in Social Work. You can usually find her in a used bookstore or library, at Taco Bell, taking pictures around her neighborhood, or spending too much money on art supplies. If it’s Saturday night, Emma can probably be spotted dancing the night away to classic disco hits at Beauty Bar on the LES.

““I didn’t need convincing to be part of this project. Disability justice, sex, art, and being in the spotlight are all interests of mine, so it was an easy yes.”

Emma will be featured in the first edition of In This Body. by @inthisbodyproject

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24 days ago

Check out our first newsletter for free on substack!

See what we’ve been up to, our progress, Rachel’s reflections, and upcoming events! All very exciting things with more to come!

Link in b!o! by @inthisbodyproject

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a month ago

PERFORMERS WANTED FOR AN OPEN BURLESQUE NIGHT

We are excited to announce that we will be hosting our first ever ✨Open Burlesque: New Talent Night✨

If you are new at burlesque or have always wanted to give it a try this is your chance! No experience required. ALL PERFORMERS WELCOME. We highly encourage disabled individuals to apply but this is open to everyone and anyone. The venue will be wheelchair accessible as well as the performance area.

HOW TO SUBMIT:

DM @inthisbodyproject or EMAIL US at inthisbodyproject@gmail.com

✨ Include a brief introduction of yourself, your experience with burlesques, if any.

✨ What song you would use for your performance.

✨ Any accommodations you need for your performance.

**This is not a paid gig**

More information and official event announcement to come!
#burlesque #nyc #opencall taken in New York, New York by @inthisbodyproject

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a month ago

In our conversation with @eloisepanda, we spoke about being a disabled educator in NYC and what kinds of impacts she wants to make on her students, how art has influenced her lifestyle, and how she navigates conversations as a disabled person about intimacy with potential partners.

Eloise’s full interview and photoshoot will be featured in the first edition of In This Body. by @inthisbodyproject

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a month ago