Sexual, Gender Identity, and Autism
The acronym LGBTQIA+ is an ever-growing and evolving acronym. It is an inclusive term covering people of all genders and sexualities, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and allies.
Gender identity and sexuality are more varied among autistic people than in the general population, and autism is more common among people who do not identify as their assigned sex than it is in the population at large — three to six times as common, according to a recent study. Researchers are also making gains on how best to support autistic people who identify outside conventional genders. (Spectrum News 9/18/20)
Articles and Resources
Autism Personal Coach -committed to coach autistic people in getting the things done they want and need in their lives https://autismpersonalcoach.com/
Autistic & LGBTQ- The Facts: https://www.autisticempire.com/2019/06/09/autistic-and-lgbtq-the-facts/
Autistic Women and Non-Binary Network (AWN): https://awnnetwork.org/
Gender and Sexuality in Autism, Explained: https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/gender-and-sexuality-in-autism-explained/
LGBTQI Resource Page: https://paautism.org/resource/lgbtqi/
Neurodiversity and Gender Diverse Youth- An Affirming Approach to Care 2020: https://www.lgbtqiahealtheducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Neurodiversity-and-Gender-Diverse-Youth_An-Affirming-Approach-to-Care_2020.pdf
SexEd Guide for Self-Advocates-Sexual Identification and Gender Identity: https://researchautism.org/sex-ed-guide-sexual-orientation-gender-identity/
Sexual Identification, Gender Identity, and Autism: https://www.aane.org/sexual-orientation-gender-identity-aspergerautism/
Twainbow– LGBTQI+ people with an Autistic diagnosis have two separate rainbows — and two separate coming out stories. There are times when an autistic will not come out as LGBTQI+, and vice-versa. The challenges for each minority group are great and being a double-social minority can be especially tough. Education and peer support goes a long way in helping to navigate these challenges and make for a smoother trip on the social highway. That’s the premise of Twainbow — people living under a double-rainbow. https://www.twainbow.org/
Coming Out explained: https://paautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/ComingOut.pdf
Figuring out your Sexual Orientation: https://paautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/FiguringOutYourSexualOrientation.pdf
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Definition: https://paautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/SexualOrientationAndGenderIdentity.pdf
Local and Online Support
Inland Empire LGBTQ+ Resource Guide – Inland-Empire-LGBTQ-Resource-Guide.pdf (chaisr.org)
Neurodiverse Families (LGBTQ+ Facebook Group – https://www.rainbowfamilies.com.au/neurodiverse_families_group
PFLAG (Parents of Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
Provides confidential support to families and allies who are in need, through peer-to-peer meetings, online outreach, and telephone hotlines. PFLAG National also offers a huge variety of resources and programs that provide support for those in need. Are you lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or gender-expansive, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ+)? However you identify in terms of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, PFLAG is here to support you and your family on your journey.
PFLAG Riverside (951) 500-6904
PFLAG Claremont
PFLAG Temecula (951) 878-8052
PFLAG San Gabriel Valley/API
PFLAG Palm Springs/Desert Communities (760) 202-4430
Proud and Supported
https://proudandsupported.org/
The project will talk about things like What being LGBTQ+ is, The different ways people can identify and present themselves, What different kinds of discrimination against LGBTQ+ people there are, What stereotypes are and why they are bad, How to find community and support. The project will support people through things like: Online training about how to support LGBTQ+ people with IDD. Providing Easy Read and plain language resources on different topics for LGBTQ+ people with IDD.In-person training, when it is safe to have in-person training. These training will be in New York State. The training will be for support workers. The training will talk about how to support LGBTQ+ people with IDD.
We called the project Proud and Supported. Because we want LGBTQ+ people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to feel proud of who they are. Proud to be a self-advocate and proud to be part of the LGBTQ+ community. We want everyone to feel supported. Supported as a self-advocate and supported as an LGBTQ+ person.
Transgender Community Coalition and Transgender Health and Wellness Center
340 S. Farrell Drive, Suite A208, Palm Springs, CA
6700 Indiana Avenue Suite 252, Riverside, CA
760.202.4308
www.trans.health
Transgender Health and Wellness Center offers medical treatment for gender dysphoria such as laser hair removal and electrolysis as well as mental health, while the Transgender Community Coalition offers the wrap-around services such as crisis and case management, pet assistance, navigation to health care and more.
All information provided or published by the Autism Society Inland Empire is for information purposes only. Specific treatment, therapy or services should be provided to an individual only at the direction of the individual’s doctor, caregiver, or other qualified professional. References to any treatment or therapy option, program, service or treatment provider are not an endorsement by the Autism Society. References of treatments, therapies, programs, services, and/or providers are not intended to be comprehensive statements. You should investigate alternatives that may be more appropriate for a specific individual. The Autism Society assumes no responsibility for the use made of any information published or provided. The Autism Society Inland Empire provides information but it does not constitute medical or legal information. Referrals provided are suggestions to organizations that might help, but do not constitute a recommendation. The Autism Society Inland Empire cannot be held responsible for consequences that arise from individual dealings with a professional or organization. The inclusion of any organization does not imply endorsement, and omission does not imply disapproval. The Autism Society Inland Empire may add or remove organizations from this list at its discretion.
If you would like your organization to be considered for our Resource Listing, please send an email to info@ieautism.org with the name of your organization, phone, city, web address, and a brief description of the services or products you provide. The Autism Society Inland Empire may add or remove organizations from this list at its discretion.
Autism Society Options Policy
This Resource Guide was developed to provide families and professionals with an opportunity to find resources related to autism in the Inland Empire in one place.
All information provided or published by the Autism Society Inland Empire is for information purposes only. Specific treatment, therapy or services should be provided to an individual only at the direction of the individual’s doctor, caregiver, or other qualified professional. References to any treatment or therapy option, program, service, or treatment provider are not an endorsement by the Autism Society. References of treatments, therapies, programs, services, and/or providers are not intended to be comprehensive statements. You should investigate alternatives that may be more appropriate for a specific individual. The Autism Society assumes no responsibility for the use made of any information published or provided. The Autism Society Inland Empire provides information, but it does not constitute medical or legal information. Referrals provided are suggestions to organizations that might help, but do not constitute a recommendation. The Autism Society Inland Empire cannot be held responsible for consequences that arise from individual dealings with a professional or organization. The inclusion of any organization does not imply endorsement, and omission does not imply disapproval. The Autism Society Inland Empire may add or remove organizations from this list at its discretion.
