IDAHOBIT is the International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination, and is held on May 17th every year. LGBTQIA+ is an acronym encompassing sexuality, gender identity, and romantic orientation, other than hetereosexuality and cisgender identities.
More Than Quirky is a safe place for LGBTQIA+ kids, parents, and friends.
IDAHOBIT is the anniversary of May 17, 1990, when the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases.
https://www.idahobit.org.au/news/the-history-of-IDAHOBIT-may-17
While gender identity and sexuality are not neurotypes, or a trait of a particular neurodivergence, the link is inescapable.
Gender-Diverse and Transgender People
Compared to their cisgender peers, gender diverse people are around six times more likely to be autistic. However, due to a number of (mostly discriminatory) factors, their autism is also more likely to be misdiagnosed or underconfirmed.
Conversely, autistic people are more likely to be genderqueer or transgender than their allistic peers.
1 in 3 Transgender or Genderqueer autistic people (sometimes referred to as Trans-Autistics) have had their gender identity questioned in relation to being autistic. This might be questioning their own ability to make determinations like this about themselves, their general intelligence (based purely on neurotype rather than intelligence measures), or their understanding of gender.
Trans-Autistic people are more likely to be multiply-neurodivergent than cisgender autistic people.
Transgender and genderqueer people, whether confirmed as autistic or not, are more likely to demonstrate elevated sensory sensitivities and other traits frequently associated with autism.
While autistic people are frequently undersupported, marginalised, oppressed, and at risk, this is increased when combined with another marginalised identity such as being Transgender or Genderqueer.
Sexuality
Estimations around non-heterosexual identification are vague and changeable.
In the general population, around 4-10% of people (including autistic people) identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Some studies indicate this statistic to be around 15-35% in the Autistic community.
In another study, around 70% of Autistic people identified as “not straight”.
In general it is accepted that Autistic people are around 2-3 times more likely to be LGB than allistic people.
Relationship Types
Autistic people are statistically more likely to be polyamorous, or in consensual non-monogamous relationships.
Studies have also shown Autistic people to be more likely to be asexual and/or aromantic.
What Does This Mean?
In short, if you’re an ally to the Autistic community, you need to be an ally in the LGBTQIA+ community too. The likelihood of your Autistic child being heterosexual, cisgender, and/or in a socionormative relationship is significantly lower than an allistic person.
It means it’s a good idea to be well versed on issues young LGBTQIA+ people face. That way you’re informed and prepared when your child or their peers come to you for help.
If your neurodivergent child expresses a gender identity other than what you assume or perceive; demonstrates traits of gender dysphoria; or asks questions about gender and sex; be aware of the statistics above, and be very mindful of this when responding.
Know what you want your response to be if your child comes to you to discuss their sexuality or gender identity. Getting those moment right is a huge win for both of you! And knowing you’re more likely to encounter that moment allows you to have that little extra incentive to plan ahead.
If you haven’t had much involvement in the LGBTQIA+ community, don’t hesitate to reach out. Minus18 is a great start. And if you need some extra guidance or steering, contact More Than Quirky with a specific question.