Autism

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition marked by differences in social communication, sensory processing, focused interests, and patterns of behavior. It is not an illness to be cured, and many autistic people describe it as a core part of who they are. A growing body of research shows a meaningful overlap between autism and LGBTQ+ identity. Studies from the University of Cambridge and others find that autistic people are more likely than non-autistic people to identify as gay, bisexual, asexual, transgender, or nonbinary, and gender-diverse people report higher rates of autism. Most autistic people are still heterosexual and cisgender, but the connection is real. Autistic LGBTQ+ people often seek spaces that respect both neurodivergent communication and sensory needs.