Anecdotally, we've known for a while that autistic people are more likely to identify as LGBTQIA+ than non-autistic people, and research is now beginning to support this. This episode will explore the intersection between autistic and LGBTQIA+ identities, looking at the issues facing autistic people as they explore their sexuality and gender identity.

Erin Ekins talks to our Family Development Manager Kerrie Highcock about her personal journey as a queer autistic person, and what professionals and parents can do to support autistic people on their journey

Listen now on:

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Further Resources

Erin's Book & Blog

Queerly Autistic: The Ultimate Guide For LGBTQIA+ Teens On The Spectrum by Erin Ekins

queerlyautistic.com

Figuring It Out: Sexuality

Books

Gender Identity, Sexuality and Autism by Eva A. Mendes and Meredith E. Maroney

Queer: A Graphic History by Meg-John Barker and Jules Scheele

LGBTQ: The Survival Guide for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Teens by Kelly Huegel Madrone

The Pride Guide: A Guide to Sexual and Social Health for LGBTQ Youth by Jo Langford

Links

ReachOut: https://au.reachout.com/articles/understanding-yoursexuality

Childline: www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/ sexual-identity/sexual-orientation

The Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN): http://www. asexuality.org/?q=general.html

YouTube Videos

Having Pride by Thomas Sanders: http://bit.do/Having-Pride

End of Pride Month Q & Gay by Thomas Sanders: http://bit.do/Q-And-Gay

Thomas himself identifies as gay, but in this series, and his other videos, he features a lot of his friends who talk about their different experiences with gender and sexuality.

The Sex Education You Never Had *PRIDE EDITION* by Ellbat: http://bit.do/Sex-Education-You-Never-Had

In this hour-long video, Ellbat (with an appearance by Fox Fisher) answers lots of questions about all things LGBTQIA+, including common questions around figuring out sexuality (e.g. ‘This is something that’s happened to me, does it mean I’m bisexual?’). It includes sections on being gay, lesbian, bisexual and asexual, and a general section on sexuality. You can find the questions you need answering, and what time they appear in the video, in the description box for easy access to information.

The Neverending Queer-y: My Queer Ace Journey by Vesper (Queer as
Cat): http://bit.do/The-Neverending-Queery

In this video, Vesper goes back through old YouTube videos and uses them to document the last decade of their journey with gender and sexuality. It includes a look at changing labels, evolving identities and the ongoing process of figuring stuff out.

Basically I’m Gay by Daniel Howell: http://bit.do/Basically-Im-Gay

In this video, Dan talks about the journey to figuring out his
sexuality, his relationship with different labels and how he got to
where he is now

Realising We’re Gay by Jessica Kellgren-Fozard: http://bit.do/Realising-Were-Gay

In this video, Jessica and her wife Claudia talk about how they realized they were gay.

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Figuring It Out: Gender

The Gender Unicorn: https://transstudent.org/gender/

Books

Gender Identity, Sexuality and Autism by Eva A. Mendes and Meredith E. Maroney

Trans Teen Survival Guide by Owl and Fox Fisher

Uncomfortable Labels: My Life As A Gay Autistic Trans Woman by Laura Kate Dale

LGBTQ: The Survival Guide for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Teens by Kelly Huegel Madrone

The Pride Guide: A Guide to Sexual and Social Health for LGBTQ Youth by Jo Langford

Links

Mermaids: https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/young-people

Childline: http://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/

ReachOut: https://au.reachout.com/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-gender

YouTube Videos

Having Pride by Thomas Sanders: http://bit.do/Having-Pride

End of Pride Month Q & Gay by Thomas Sanders: http://bit.do/Q-And-Gay

Thomas himself identifies as gay, but in this series, and his other videos, he features a lot of his friends who talk about their different experiences with gender and sexuality.

The Sex Education You Never Had *PRIDE EDITION* by Ellbat: http://bit.do/Sex-Education-You-Never-Had

In this hour-long video, Ellbat (with an appearance by Fox Fisher) answers lots of questions about all things LGBTQIA+, including common questions around figuring out sexuality (e.g. ‘This is something that’s happened to me, does it mean I’m bisexual?’). It includes sections on being gay, lesbian, bisexual and asexual, and a general section on sexuality. You can find the questions you need answering, and what time they appear in the video, in the description box for easy access to information.

The Neverending Queer-y: My Queer Ace Journey by Vesper (Queer as
Cat): http://bit.do/The-Neverending-Queery

In this video, Vesper goes back through old YouTube videos and uses them to document the last decade of their journey with gender and sexuality. It includes a look at changing labels, evolving identities and the ongoing process of figuring stuff out.

How I Knew I Was Transgender by Jammidodger: http://bit.do/How-I-Knew-I-Was-Transgender

Gender Dysphoria Before & After Transitioning by Jammidodger: http://bit.do/Gender-Dysphoria

Just Gender Dysphoria Things by Jammidodger: http://bit.do/Just-Gender-Dysphoria-Things

In these videos, Jamie talks about how he figured out that he is transgender, and also goes into more detail about the ways that gender dysphoria can be experienced.

My Genderation Documentary Films by My Genderation: http://bit.
do/My-Genderation

A playlist of short documentaries by trans filmmaking project My Genderation featuring a number of different trans people, of all ages and identities, talking about their lives and their experiences.

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Coming Out

Books

Gender Identity, Sexuality and Autism by Eva A. Mendes and Meredith E. Maroney

Trans Teen Survival Guide by Owl and Fox Fisher

LGBTQ: The Survival Guide for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Teens by Kelly Huegel Madrone

The Pride Guide: A Guide to Sexual and Social Health for LGBTQ Youth by Jo Langford

Links

Gendered Intelligence: http://genderedintelligence.co.uk/projects/

YouTube Videos

Basically I’m Gay by Daniel Howell: http://bit.do/Basically-Im-Gay

In this video, Dan talks about the journey to figuring out his sexuality, his relationship with different labels and how he got to where he is now.

Coming Out (Elle Mills Style) by Elle Mills: http://bit.do/Coming-Out-Elle-Mills

Elle comes out as bisexual to her friends by getting them to guess who she has a crush on and then revealing that it’s a woman. She then decorates the outside of her house in rainbow colours in order to come out to her family.

I’m Gay by Eugene Lee Yang: http://bit.do/Im-Gay-Eugene

Eugene comes out in a beautifully shot and choreographed music video detailing his journey.

Coming Out as Transgender to my Sisters In-Law by Jammidodger: http://bit.do/Coming-Out-As-Trans

Ways to Come Out as Transgender by Jammidodger: http://bit.do/Ways-To-Come-Out-As-Transgender

In the first video, Jamie and his fiancée, Shaaba, tell Shaaba’s young sisters that Jamie is transgender, what that means, and answer any questions they have. It’s lovely. In the second video, Jamie looks at fun ways to come out as trans.

The Sex Education You Never Had *PRIDE EDITION* by Ellbat: http://bit.do/Sex-Education-You-Never-Had

In this hour-long video, Ellbat (with an appearance by Fox Fisher) answers lots of questions about all things LGBTQIA+, including how to come out as trans to your family. You can find the questions you need answering, and what time they appear in the video, in the description box for easy access to information.