Dr. Alan Martino
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alansmartino.bsky.social
Dr. Alan Martino
@alansmartino.bsky.social
180 followers 150 following 64 posts
Associate Prof. Critical Disability Studies.
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alansmartino.bsky.social
We asked, you delivered… and let’s just say the response blew us away.

Any guesses on how many abstracts came in for the Disability, Sexuality, and the Power to Disrupt (2026) conference?

Drum roll…
A pastel gradient background with bold blue text that reads: “Can you guess how many abstracts we received? Drum roll…” On the right side, a 3D grey figure plays a red drum. In the top right corner, the Disability, Sexuality, and the Power to Disrupt conference logo appears. A pastel gradient background displaying large candy-style numbers: “79 abstracts” and “10 countries” in bright pink and blue text. The Disability, Sexuality, and the Power to Disrupt conference logo appears in the top right corner.
November 5, 2025 at 2:37 PM
alansmartino.bsky.social
A more vulnerable piece. I’ve been thinking a lot about how hard it can be to say no, even when we know we have every right to. It’s something that came up in a disability and dating workshop I recently facilitated. alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/why-saying...
Why Saying No Is Harder Than We Think — From Disability Workshops to Gay Bathhouses
I know this because I’m a people pleaser. I have been for most of my life.
alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com
October 17, 2025 at 6:14 PM
alansmartino.bsky.social
Our Disability & Sexuality Lab is proud to co-host #EmbracingSexualPleasure: A virtual event highlighting pleasure in sexual health conversations. I’ll be speaking about crip desires and expanding the erotic imagination. Details & registration: tgeea.org.tw/event/confer...
Promotional banner for the "Embracing Sexual Pleasure" CSE International Online Forum, featuring stylized large white text over a soft pink and purple gradient background. Below the English title, the Chinese phrase "直面性愉悦" appears. Event details are listed on the right: "CSE International Online Forum 2025 全面性教育線上國際論壇," November 29th, 14:00–17:00 (GMT+8), and "Online Event." The bottom section displays logos of the organizing partners.
October 16, 2025 at 5:45 PM
alansmartino.bsky.social
Working as a sociologist in a school of medicine has shown me the power of collaboration. I bring new perspectives, my colleagues share their expertise, and together we create knowledge that neither of us could produce alone.
alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/the-beauty...
The Beauty of Being a Sociologist in a School of Medicine
The beauty of being a sociologist in a school of medicine is precisely this: the chance to stand at a crossroads, to bring different worlds together.
alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com
October 1, 2025 at 12:27 AM
alansmartino.bsky.social
This summer, I had the privilege of supervising two outstanding high school students. They joined our Disability and Sexuality Lab and wrote a thoughtful blog post reflecting on their experiences. Their words reminded me of the excitement that comes at the very beginning of a research journey.
August 20, 2025 at 10:18 PM
alansmartino.bsky.social
Publishing disability scholarship beyond disability studies is challenging. It takes extra work to make the case, but it also expands who engages with our ideas and creates opportunities for new collaborations.
alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/the-challe...
The Challenges of Bringing Disability Scholarship Beyond Disability Studies Journals
It is important to bring our work to places where it is less expected.
alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com
August 19, 2025 at 9:27 PM
alansmartino.bsky.social
Call for Presentation Abstracts! Join us for the Sexuality, Disability, and the Power to Disrupt 2026 Conference (Feb 13-14, 2026). Submit your abstract by Oct 15, 2025. Everyone is welcome to submit an abstract. Use the QR code or visit www.disabilitysexualitylab.com/conference-2... to learn more.
Flyer for the 'Sexuality, Disability, and the Power to Disrupt 2026 Conference.' Large heading: 'Call for Presentation Abstracts.' Subheading: 'A Virtual and International Conference.' Website link: disabilitysexualitylab.com/conference-2026. Conference dates: February 13–14, 2026. Submission deadline: October 15, 2025. Includes a QR code and is sponsored by the University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Community Health Sciences. Bright colors with pink, yellow, and white design elements.
July 31, 2025 at 3:06 PM
alansmartino.bsky.social
Being a sexualities scholar means people assume two things: 1. I’ve tried every sex act known to humankind. 2. I’m available 24/7 for relationship advice. Only one of those is true. alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/from-weird...
From Weird Warts to Freudian Slips: The Unfiltered Life of a Sexualities Scholar
Let's be honest: Being a sexualities scholar is also hilarious.
alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com
July 13, 2025 at 6:24 PM
alansmartino.bsky.social
Thinking of editing a book or special issue? It can be incredibly rewarding—but also a ton of (often invisible) work. I wrote a blog post about the joys, the chaos, and what I wish I knew before starting. alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/the-joys-a...
The Joys and Challenges of Editing a Book or Special Issue (and Why I Might’ve Waited to Start)
Let me be real: it’s also a lot of work.
alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com
July 8, 2025 at 7:30 PM
alansmartino.bsky.social
A short email saying “I loved your piece” can mean more than you think. In academia, small acts of recognition go a long way. Tell people when their work moves you. It might make their day—and yours. The Beauty of Recognizing Each Other’s Work alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/the-beauty...
The Beauty of Recognizing Each Other’s Work
Your words might be exactly what other scholars need to keep going.
alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com
July 4, 2025 at 8:13 PM
alansmartino.bsky.social
New roundtable piece out in DiGeSt: "Turning the Table: Rethinking Sexuality Education for 2SLGBTQ+ Disabled People." We explore how a crip lens can radically reshape how we think about sex, pleasure, and desire for everyone. Link: www.digest.ugent.be/article/id/9...
Screenshot of a journal article titled "Turning the Table: Rethinking Sexuality Education for 2SLGBTQ+ Disabled People" from the DiGeSt – Journal of Diversity and Gender Studies. The abstract discusses the limitations of mainstream sex education and advocates for using a crip lens to center disabled voices, especially those of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, in reimagining inclusive, participatory, and empowering sexuality education.
June 30, 2025 at 3:41 PM
alansmartino.bsky.social
Let’s stop measuring sex by performance, firmness, or finish lines. “Cripping” sex can help us move from pressure to pleasure (for everyone). Less Pressure, More Pleasure. alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/less-press...
Less Pressure, More Pleasure: “Cripping” the Ways We Think About Sex
I want us to talk about this pressure. The pressure to perform. The pressure to be and remain “hard.” The pressure to “finish.” The pressure to not “ruin the mood.” The pressure to be enough.
alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com
June 26, 2025 at 11:23 PM
alansmartino.bsky.social
“How do you decide where to submit your papers?” I get this question a lot, so I wrote a short blog post about my process. From choosing a journal early on to intentionally stepping outside disability journals to reach new audiences. alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/how-i-choo...
How I Choose Journals for My Papers: A Peek Into My Process
This isn’t a formula—it’s just what works for me.
alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com
June 26, 2025 at 11:13 PM
alansmartino.bsky.social
Mariah Carey doesn’t acknowledge time. She’s eternally 12. Famously late. Slow to release albums. And every Nov 1st, she decides it’s Christmas. As a critical disability scholar, I see it: Mariah is a theorist of crip time. alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/theorizing...
Theorizing Mariah: Crip Time and the Liberation of Temporal Norms
Mariah Carey is more than a pop icon—she’s a theorist of time.
alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com
June 18, 2025 at 4:25 PM
alansmartino.bsky.social
You don’t need to apply for everything—be strategic. Focus on the awards and funding that align with your goals and are worth your time. But don’t let fear be the reason you don’t apply. Prioritize, yes—but show up for the ones that matter. alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/heard-abou...
Heard About an Award or Funding Opportunity? Apply for It.
Because too many students think they’re not ready or not good enough.
alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com
June 15, 2025 at 3:42 PM
alansmartino.bsky.social
Post-Tenure Life, Entry 4 - Taking More Intellectual Risks: The Projects I’m Working on Now
alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/post-tenur...
Post-Tenure Life, Entry 4 - Taking More Intellectual Risks: The Projects I’m Working on Now
One special gift of tenure? The freedom to explore new topics.
alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com
June 8, 2025 at 7:52 PM
alansmartino.bsky.social
Post-Tenure Life, Entry 3 - Letting Go of the Tenure Grind Mentality
alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com/p/post-tenur...
Post-Tenure Life, Entry 3 - Letting Go of the Tenure Grind Mentality
Post-tenure? I choose joy.
alans-newsletter-844318.beehiiv.com
June 5, 2025 at 5:22 PM
alansmartino.bsky.social
New episode of the Disability & Sexuality Lab Podcast!
We’re chatting with Dr. Patsie Frawley (@UNSW) about smashing the stigma around intellectual disability and sexuality and embracing pleasure and intimacy. #DisabilitySexuality #InclusiveResearch #Podcast open.spotify.com/episode/2iW8...
May 12, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Reposted by Dr. Alan Martino
sexandsexualities.bsky.social
Then, Alan Santinele Martino, Thomas Tri, Rachell Trung, and Oscar E. Hughes explore how to center #disabled people as experts in their own sexual lives and desire in #research and conversations about #sexuality. @alansmartino.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1177/3033...
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May 8, 2025 at 3:29 PM
alansmartino.bsky.social
🎙️ Season 2 of the Disability and Sexuality Lab Podcast is here! Join Dr. Alan Martino and guests from around the globe for raw, real conversations that confront ableism and challenge taboos. 🎧 Listen now! dissexlab.podbean.com
A bold, colorful announcement poster with the headline "SEASON 2 IS NOW OUT!" at the top in red font. The left side features text describing the podcast: “Season 2 is here! Dr. Alan Martino is joined by guests from worldwide for raw, real, and open discussions on disability and sexuality. Together, they challenge taboos, confront ableism, and amplify the diverse voices and lived experiences of disabled people.” On the right is a large, stylized illustration of a yellow and black microphone surrounded by colorful geometric shapes. The logo for the Disability and Sexuality Lab appears in the upper right corner.
May 2, 2025 at 4:34 PM
alansmartino.bsky.social
Giving a talk in Edmonton on Monday. Of course, Mariah Carey will be part of it. 🌈
April 30, 2025 at 5:30 PM
alansmartino.bsky.social
Sad, sad times.
April 25, 2025 at 7:15 PM
alansmartino.bsky.social
I asked Chat GPT about its impression of me and this is what I got: "So, in short: you’re a queer, crip academic force of nature—with heart, humor, and a deep sense of purpose."
spongebob squarepants is holding up his hands in the air and saying gay .
ALT: spongebob squarepants is holding up his hands in the air and saying gay .
media.tenor.com
April 13, 2025 at 9:50 PM
alansmartino.bsky.social
Automatic email response is ON!
April 10, 2025 at 4:24 AM
alansmartino.bsky.social
Are you a disabled current or former OnlyFans content creator living in Canada? We want to hear from you!
Join a 1-hr interview study about your experiences. Participants will be compensated.
Contact: alan.martino@ucalgary.ca
A recruitment poster from the University of Calgary seeking participants for a research study. The headline reads: "We are looking for former or current disabled OnlyFans content creators to discuss their experiences on the platform." The study involves a brief demographic survey and a 1-hour interview. Eligibility requirements include: being a current or former OnlyFans content creator, identifying as disabled or as a person with a disability, being 18 or older, having working camera and audio, being an English speaker, and residing in Canada. Participants will be compensated. Interested individuals are asked to contact Alan Martino at 403-220-6585 or alan.martino@ucalgary.ca. The poster includes the University of Calgary logo and notes that the study has been approved by the Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (REB24-0842). The text is in black and purple on a white background.
April 8, 2025 at 4:39 PM