Disability Rights Activist Sid Marcos Refuses to Be Fetishized by Men

Dating is a weird and often uncomfortable part of life. Between small talk and deciding who pays, some days I'd much rather just watch Netflix—but without the chill. For Sid Marcos, dating is a bit more complicated than it is for me. She has to deal with terrible people who try to fetishize her as what she bluntly describes as a "novelty fuck" because she's in a wheelchair. "Guys have a limit to how disabled you can be," the disability rights activist tells Allure of the difficult relationship issues she faces. BRB, just need to scream for a sec because sometimes guys are the worst.

Okay, I'm back. And back to Marcos, who has been in a wheelchair for most of her life. She was paralyzed after a car accident that she was involved in at just one year old. But it took a few more years—about four—until kindergarten, where she realized her disability made her different from some people, and that she wouldn't be able to walk or play freely, like her classmates did. But what makes Marcos a hero is that she didn't let those childish (literally, kindergarten) attitudes shape how she sees herself. She has learned to not let life—and the people that populate hers—tell her what she can or can't do. Instead, Marcos pushes herself to do things to prove that she is fully capable. The volumes of of wisdom she has is nothing short of inspiring—and definitely makes me not only humbled, but also grateful for my own two legs.

In the latest video from our "Dispelling Beauty Myths" series, watch Sid Marcos talk about realizing she's worthy of love, her idea of beauty, and her not-so-secret talent. (Spoiler alert: It involves planes. But not this rose gold one.)

Talent: Sid Marcos

Director: StyleLikeU

Editor: StyleLikeU

Videographer: StyleLikeU

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