
246 - LBGTQ+ Challenges and Support (replay)
From Dating, Relationships, and Disability by Kathy O'Connell
June 9, 2026 · 32 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the challenges and support for LGBTQ+ individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, featuring insights from Pauline Bosma and Oscar Hughes.
Pauline Bosma is the founder and coordinator of the Rainbow Support Groups, a network of support groups for LGBTQ+ people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Pauline works for Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong, where she also leads sex education webinars and trains people with disabilities to respond to and report abuse. Oscar Hughes is a PhD student in special education at Boston University. He collaborates with LGBTQ+ adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities to create resources that support gender and sexual expression. He also works as the assistant to the Rainbow Support Groups and as a sexuality education trainer for Elevatus Training. We chat about the following: What is your background or personal experience in the area of dating, relationships, and disabilities? The particular perspectives in dating that are both a benefit and a challenge in expressing your identity and sexuality in the LGBTQ+ community. The particular challenges for people with disabilities in dating and relationships. Why Pauline founded the Rainbow Support Group for people with I/DD who are also in the LGBTQ community and their biggest insights from…
People in this episode
Host: Kathy O'Connell
Guests: Pauline Bosma, Oscar Hughes
Topics covered
- LGBTQ+ challenges
- support for people with disabilities
- dating and relationships
- intellectual and developmental disabilities
- sexual education
- community resources
Keywords
- LGBTQ+
- disabilities
- support groups
- dating
- relationships
- sexual education
- Rainbow Support Group
- intellectual disabilities
- developmental disabilities
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Rainbow Support Groups, Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong, Elevatus Training, Boston University
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