Disabled Activists Defy Charity Telethon with Powerful 'Piss on Pity' Movement

According to the article, the V&A's "Design and Disability" exhibition, which opened in February 2025 and runs through 2026, takes the viewpoint of disabled people rather than designers. The exhibition begins with a powerful symbol of the "Piss on Pity" movement from the early 1990s - a black T-shirt bearing the defiant slogan in pink text.

This T-shirt was worn by thousands of demonstrators who sought to shut down a British charity telethon that they felt depicted disabled people as "tragic, pathetic victims." The telethon had previously raised millions for disability causes, but the protesters, led by folk musician Alan Holdsworth, argued that it promoted harmful stereotypes. "It portrays us as tragic, pathetic victims who long to be non-disabled, or plucky heroes who deserve a pat on the head for triumphing over adversity," Holdsworth said at the time.

The "Piss on Pity" campaign marked a turning point in how disabled people saw themselves, and the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History has acquired an example of the T-shirt for its collection. The V&A exhibition aims to celebrate this shift, showcasing disabled culture, identity, and "disabled joy" through various exhibits, from vibrant clothing to a hands-free vibrator.

While the exhibition has not attracted the blockbuster crowds of some past V&A shows, it has received an enthusiastic response from many visitors, including disabled attendees who appreciate the museum's efforts to center their perspectives and experiences.