Autistic and gay

Some of us have fluid or nonbinary gender identities; others are more binary. For example, a study in Molecular Autism found autistic adults are up to three times more likely to identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender compared to non-autistic adults.

Many of us experience misdiagnosis, questioning, or dismissive attitudes. Others may practice with a whole bunch of bias. Embracing all parts of ourselves is a beautiful act of self-love and resilience in a world built for neurodominant, cishetero norms.

Our experiences are diverse, valid, and constantly evolving. LGBTQIA+ and Autism Contemporary research on the intersection of autism, sexuality, and gender identity asserts that autistic individuals are more likely to identify as LGBTQIA+ than the neurotypical population.

Research shows autistic people, especially those who are also queer, face significant barriers when looking for knowledgeable, respectful care. Mental health support can be a nightmare to find. This questioning and fluidity often extends to gender and sexuality.

Neuroqueerness: the overlap is real. Autistic people are less likely to identify as heterosexual than their non-autistic counterparts. We might pathologized for our sexual orientation, gender, AND autistic identities. When we share our stories, demand better care, and insist on inclusion, people have to listen.

New research from the University of Cambridge suggests that autistic individuals are less likely to identify as heterosexual and more likely to identify with a diverse range of sexual orientations than non-autistic individuals.

This multiply marginalized stress piles up, making our mental health journeys uniquely challenging. Our queer identity might look or feel different from the typical narratives out there.

At the Intersection of : While these two aspects of identity are distinct, studies suggest that autistic individuals are more likely to identify as LGBTQ+, including being homosexual, compared to neurotypical individuals

See if we offer assessments in your state here. The findings have important implications for the healthcare and support of autistic individuals. [12][13][9] That is not the only proposed explanation, however. Representation also pushes systems to improve.

We often discover this identity through years of introspection, trial, error, exploration, and experimentation… sometimes feeling isolated, sometimes finding radical joy in community. Our intersection brings both challenges and strengths, but make us who we are, literally.

Similarly, the prevalence of autism is higher among transgender people than cisgender individuals. Our identities are deeply intertwined and color all of our experiences.

LGBTQ and autism spectrum : Clare Harrop, UNC School of Medicine Assistant Professor

For many members of the community, neurodivergence and queerness go hand in hand as part of who we were born to be— uniquely ourselves. This intersection is why terms like neuroqueer exist, to capture that mix of neurodivergence and queer identity in a way that feels whole to us.

[3] While there is a broad consensus that autistic people are more likely to have an LGBTQ identity, there. When society erases or ignores the autistic queer experience, it leaves many of us feeling unseen or misunderstood. And our autism might affect how we express or understand our sexuality and gender.

This lack of affirming care can cause serious harm, worsening anxiety, depression, and even suicidality. That ripple effect creates big waves. These communities provide loving support, shared understanding, and validation.

It makes sense when you think about it: Autism challenges us to experience the world differently… socially, sensorially, emotionally, the way we experience relationships, the way we experience gender expression, the way we go against norms and dominant culture.

[10][4][11] Some attempt to explain this as part of an association between autism, prenatal hormones, and sexual orientation.