Autism & LGBTQIA+ Identities
The intersection between Autism, neurodiversity and being a part of the LGBTQIA+community is a well-known fact in Autism spaces, but why is this so often the case? And how do we support Autistic LGBTQIA+ individuals?
Outside of the large array of anecdotal evidence, we also know that:
Autistic people are more likely to experience gender dysphoria (1).
There are higher rates of Asexuality in the Autistic community (2).
Autistic people are more likely to identify as LGBTQIA+ than their allistic counterparts (2).
Labels
There are many different labels when it comes to sexuality & gender, and some are more common than others.
Something that can be helpful to know is that some people prefer to use umbrella terms, like queer, genderqueer, LGBT or trans(gender), to describe their identity rather than using a specifically defined label. This is completely normal; in some cases, it is a useful tool for someone discovering their identity before finding the right label. For another, it might be how they identify going forward. Either is fine, but it is due to personal preference.
Here are some definitions for less well-known terms used in this post:
Asexuality
Asexual is an identity where sexual attraction is not present. This can mean different things to different people; some might engage in sexual activity, whereas some might not.
Transgender
It is for someone who identifies with a gender outside of their biological sex.
Cisgender
Someone whose gender aligns with their biological sex.
Non-Binary
Someone who identifies outside of the binary genders of male or female. Some non-binary people use they/them pronouns.
Autism & Gender
There are a couple of possible explanations for why Neurodiverse people are less likely to be cisgender and instead identify under the transgender umbrella and/or as non-binary (amongst many other options).
One potential reason is that differences in how Autistic people interact with social norms, expectations, and rules can manifest as differences or curiosities surrounding gender identity and expression. For the same reason, it is possible that Autistic people feel more able to break these norms and to openly identify in a way that best represents their internal experience of gender (or lack thereof for some). This can be very positive because when transgender people live as their preferred gender, their life outcomes improve significantly (3).
That does not mean that all Autistic people are transgender. However, it does help us understand how gender and autism are related, and it also shows us why cisgender autistics may show differences in their gender expression, even if they identify as cisgender.
Autism & Sexuality
Much like gender, sexuality is also related to the cultural norms or constructs around it. When we consider how an Autistic person might view gender differently, it also makes sense that Autistic people might be less likely to have a gender preference. However, many Autistic people do have a gender preference and may identify as heterosexual or homosexual, whereas others may feel more seen by pansexual or bisexual labels.
As with gender identity, this is a strength of many people’s Autism profiles, in that people living in a way that reflects their gender and sexuality is extremely powerful in improving their wellbeing.
How do we support Autistic LGBTQIA+ individuals?
Model Acceptance
Show a positive attitude towards social difference and LGBTQIA + media and events.
Understanding can come later; you can accept their identity even while learning about it.
This is especially true for those changing their pronouns, where we can start using their preferred pronouns and descriptors before fully understanding their chosen label. That part can come later, but knowing you accept them and are trying to make these changes can go a long way in showing your support.
Allow them time and space to work out their identity.
Sometimes things change; the terms or labels people identify with might change with time and the more they learn about themselves. This is normal and expected as people learn more about themselves and their preferences.
Want to learn more?
We regularly run webinars on Autism & LGBTQIA+ Identities and you can see them on our Eventbrite here.
Contact us about delivering to your staff or the people you support here.
Resources / References:
(1) https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism/autism-and-gender-identity
(2) https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/autistic-individuals-are-more-likely-to-be-lgbtq