Individuals with Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome are often denied the right to explore their own relationships due to misconceptions about their capacity for intimacy. Excluded from conversations about love and consent, they are infantilized and ignored. By giving them a platform to share their experiences, we can shift the narrative from limitation to empowerment.
Ask: Give people with Down syndrome or Fragile X syndrome agency over their sexual intimacy.
Problem: The true barrier to intimacy for individuals with Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome is not their disability, but society’s failure to recognize their autonomy.
Research: I conducted interviews with individuals with Down syndrome and their caregivers to gain firsthand perspectives on their experiences with relationships and autonomy. Additionally, I analyzed media portrayals and societal attitudes to uncover recurring misconceptions.
Caregivers I talked to were on both ends of the spectrum:
“I just avoided it. I didn’t want to talk about sex and neither did his dad. I felt like I had the ability to prevent him from being in those situations, so I didn’t need to talk about it. ”
“We talked about things like marriage and sex from a young age. People assume she’s incapable of understanding intimacy, but I want her to experience all of life, including healthy relationships, just like anyone else.”
The people with Down syndrome I talked to shared the same sentiment: everyone wants to feel loved.
“I want to wake up with love and kisses with my husband some day.”
“We love each other each other. We laugh together. She makes me feel special and safe.”
“I love when we talk together. When I go to sleep, I like thinking about him. He is so sweet to me. ”
Insight: The deepest kind of loneliness is being told that intimacy is something meant for other people.
Loneliness isn’t just about being alone, it’s about being excluded from something fundamental to human connection. Individuals with Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome aren’t just lacking intimacy; they’re being denied it. Society dictates their relationships for them, assuming they don’t have the right to their own desires. This forced exclusion creates a deeper kind of isolation (one where they know intimacy exists, long for it, and are deliberately shut out). By challenging these imposed barriers, we can give them the agency to define their own relationships and experience intimacy on their own terms.
Strategy: Turn silence into a movement where autonomy speaks louder than ever.
Solution: Rewrite the Conversation.
We’re starting to rewrite the conversation by taking Netflix’s existing show, Down for Love, and pushing it to the next level with a spin-off show Love Without Labels. This six-episode limited series follows real couples with Down syndrome and Fragile X as they navigate their relationships, breaking down societal barriers around love and intimacy on their way to the altar. We leaned into marriage because it is a powerful symbol of love, commitment, and autonomy. By showcasing real couples with Down syndrome and Fragile X navigating their path to marriage, we amplify the message that everyone deserves the agency to define their relationships on their own terms, breaking down societal barriers around love and intimacy.
Case Study Video
To extend the conversation, we’ll bring the message to the streets with Out-of-Home ads at bus stops and public transit stations (where many people in the Down syndrome and Fragile X communities travel daily).
On social media, we’ll amplify the voices of individuals with Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome, letting their stories take center stage. By meeting people where they are and putting the spotlight on these communities, we’ll rewrite the conversation about love and relationships, creating a world where everyone’s voice is heard, respected, and valued.
Meet The Team
Krista Gutzwiller (XD/AD) & Megan Strodel (ST)