在歐美已經存在一些性義工組織，日本也有類似的白手套等團體，專門為重度身障者提供性服務。在歐洲一些國家則以政府補助，配合合法性工作者，緩解他們的生理壓力。這些國家已經進步到能夠看見身障者的性需求，但反觀台灣，儘管「人權」這兩個字被大聲呼喊，但國家和社會何時才能正視身障者的性權呢？
對於一般可以行動自如的人來說，很難想像性權的重要性，但你可以想像一下，如果一個人失去了手，或者無法控制自己的手，他如何進行自慰？如果一個人失去了腳，去尋找能夠和發生性關係的人又是多麼困難呢？
《手天使》是一群以實踐性權為理念的朋友組成的團體，我們在2013年初由一群男同志成立，初期本只想服務重度障礙男同志，但隨著手天使看到了台灣重度身障者的慾望被束縛、被傳統價值所限制，我們的服務對象也已開放任何性別身份。我們期待能夠解開身障者性慾望的束縛，讓他們感受到短暫的性自由～而目前三十位的手天使義工中，包括了LGBT、異性戀、性工作者、社工、長照工作者、上班族、大學教師、家長及學生。
至今（2023年4月），我們已進行了50次的服務(跨性別1次、雙性戀4次、同性戀9次、異性戀36次)，女性占6%、男性占94%
在每年的「國際障礙者日」(International Day of Persons with Disabilities)，手天使也會舉辦各類活動。例如與障礙者同樂的沙龍照攝影活動「愛美礙美」、無障礙狂歡夜店生活「愛礙趴」、讓障礙者親身撫摸人體模特兒的「摸摸性」、以及呼籲政府看見障礙者性權的「障礙者需要性」大遊行。
手天使不僅是提供性服務，也一直針對障礙者的性別教育、長照中的性照顧、無障礙環境等議題持續發聲，透過每年舉行的研討會、宣傳、演講、教育、倡議和參與其他NGO行動,不斷呼醒台灣社會對身心障礙性權的關注和支持。
因為我們相信「性就是人權」更是相信「性是可以EMPOWER障礙者」。
申請手天使服務規則：
服務對象：領有中華民國身心障證明的重度障礙者（限肢體障礙者和視障者）
費 用：全部公益性質，完全免費
申請次數：總共三次（每次間隔時間隨受服務者決定）
服務方式：性義工用手幫助受服務者自慰
等候時間：
無論您的性傾向如何，都可以自行決定申請男女性義工為您服務，目前的等候狀況如下：
● 如果您申請女性性義工服務，可能至少需等候至少兩年，因為目前申請者人數眾多。
● 如果您申請男性性義工服務，或您是女性障礙者申請服務，可能可以夠較快地開始面談流程。
有意申請並領有重度身障證明的肢體障礙者和視障者，請點選這份受服務者申請表，並等待義工和您聯絡。
如果您想參加手天使的義工行列，請填寫加入義工的表單。由於我們需要維持有效討論的人數，所以會依據這個前提邀請您加入。
如果您無法順利加入手天使，但對障礙者性權有熱忱，我們建議您用自己的方式行動，抑或是與其他朋友組成組織。障礙者性權組織不僅於我們，也不應只有我們一個。
在此，手天使團隊仍呼籲政府、社福單位、家庭照護者重視障礙者在親密與性方面的基本需求。
About Hand Angel
In Europe and North America, some sex volunteer groups can already be found, while in Japen, a similar organization “White Hands” provides sexual services exclusively for disabled people. In some countries in Europe, where sex work is legalized, governments offer subsidies to disabled people to help relieve their physical stress. As these progressive societies are able to see the sexual needs of people with disabilities, in Taiwan, although “human right” is a slogan that is often shouted out loud, when can the sexual rights of disabled people really be taken seriously by the society and the government?
For an able person who can move freely, it is difficult to imagine the importance of sexual rights. Yet, let us imagine, if a person loses or unable to control his/her/their arms, how should he/she/they masturbate? If one has no legs, how difficult is it for him/her/them to look for someone who is willing to have sex with?
“Hand Angel” is an organization devoted to promoting sexual rights. Founded in early 2013 by a group of gay men, we initially only intended to provide services for gay men with severe disabilities. However, as we witness how sexual needs and desires of individuals with severe disabilities in Taiwan are confined and restricted by traditional values, we now offer our services to people of all gender identities. We hope to disentangle the shackles around disabled people’s sexual desires and enable them to enjoy a temporary sense of sexual freedom. Among the 30 volunteers at Hand Angel, there are LGBT, heterosexuals, sex workers, social workers, long-term care professionals, office workers, university professors, parents and students.
As of April 2023, we’ve provided 50 times of services (1 time for a transgender service receiver, 4 times for bisexual service receivers , 9 times for homosexual service receivers and 36 times for heterosexual service receivers), among which 6% are female and 94% are male.
Every year, on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Hand Angel organizes different events, such as a photo-shooting session for disabled people, “Party for Disabilities, “a party held in a night club that was entirely barrier-free for disabled people, a gathering event during which disabled people had the opportunity to touch models’ body, and a march that called upon the government to take seriously the sexual rights of disabled people.
Hand Angel not only provides sexual services but also continues to speak out about issues regarding gender/sex education, sexual care in long-term care, and barrier-free environment. Through annual conferences, promotional activities, talks and public education sessions, advocacy work and participation in other NGO’s actions and events, we aim to wake Taiwanese society’s awareness of and support for the sexual rights of disabled people.
Because we believe that sex is a human right, and sex can empower disabled people
How to apply for our service:
- Who can apply: any individual with severe disabilities who possess a government-issued disability certification (only individuals with physical disabilities or visual impairment are eligible)
- Fee: our service is completely pro bono, free of charges
- Number of service sessions provided: 3 sessions for each applicant (the interval between each service session is determined by the applicant)
- Method of service: our sex volunteer would assist the applicant in masturbation with their hands
Waiting period: regardless of sexual orientation, applicants can decide freely whether they would like to receive services from a male or female volunteer. The current waiting time is as below:
- Applicants who wish to be assisted by a female sex volunteer may have to wait for a minimum of 2 years as the number of applications is high at the moment
- Applications who wish to be assisted by a male volunteer and female applicants may proceed to the interview sooner
If you are a person with physical disabilities or visual impairment who has a government-issued disability certificate, and wish to apply for our service, please click here to fill up this application form. Our volunteer will be in touch with you soon.
If you wish to become a volunteer at Hand Angel, please fill out the application form here. As we’d like to maintain a group size that enables effective discussions, we recruit our volunteers under this precondition.
If you cannot join Hand Angels but still feel passionate about the sexual rights of disabled people, we encourage you to take action in your own unique way or even form your own organization with others. We are not and should not be the only group advocating for the sexual rights of disabled people.
Hand Angel calls upon the government, social welfare agencies, and caretakers to value the importance of the basic needs of people with disabilities in terms of intimacy and sexuality.