The queer (dis) abilities of Angela and Evan

“I would hope that in the queer community we come to a place where we can look at bodies and not judge them by how perfect we deem them to be, but that we look at bodies and think about possibilities for relationship.”

from the dating scene. But that changed after becoming acquainted with Adams through a Google search and subsequent emails.

“I made a point to Google everything I could about black lesbians in Atlanta. The name that kept popping up all the time was Mary Anne Adams and “ZAMI,” she said.

The couple met in person in 2008 at the Rustin/Lorde Breakfast, where Adams coincidentally sat at the same table as Davis.

At the time, “It wasn’t about trying to date her, it was about trying to connect with the community and she (Adams) was the light,” Davis said.

A new awareness

Davis says Adams has never reacted negatively toward her disability, but what has been interesting is the response of people

Above: Angela Davis, legally blind since 2003, continues to be a source of light for the visually impaired. Left: Evan Wainwright is

an aspiring actor who has been meeting the challenge of cerebral palsy

since birth. (Photos by Darian Aaron) around her. “’You know Mary Anne is dating that blind woman,’” Davis recalls comments aimed at her disability.

“For her, (Adams) it was OK; she was more concerned with the fact that I was a minister (laughter),” she said.

Davis rejects the myth that other senses are heightened if one is visually impaired; she believes she is simply more aware, which can also be applicable to sex.

“I’m very much aware of the body and shape and texture. I think that’s more of who I am as a person than who I am as a person who is blind,” she said.

“There is something wonderful about coming to understand intimacy with bodies that aren’t perfect,” she said. “I would hope that in the queer community we come to a place where we can look at bodies and not judge them by how perfect we deem them to be, but that we look at bodies and think about possibilities for relationship. That’s my hope.”