Here are some links, books, and YouTube videos that cover common topics that may be faced by autistic LGBTQIA+ people (or autistic people who think they may be LGBTQIA+).
Figuring Out Your Sexuality
Books
Gender Identity, Sexuality and Autism by Eva A. Mendes and Meredith R. Maroney
Queerly Autistic: The Ultimate Guide for LGBTQIA+ Teens on the Spectrum by Erin Ekins
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
‘The Gender Unicorn’ by Trans Student Education Resources: https://transstudent.org/gender/ (includes information on physical and emotional attraction)
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): 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 and Friends: http://bit.do/Q-And-Gay
The Sex Education You Never Had *PRIDE EDITION* by Ellbat: http://bit.do/Sex-Education-You-Never-Had
The Neverending Queer-y: My Queer Ace Journey by Vesper (Queer as Cat): http://bit.do/The-Neverending-Queery
Basically I’m Gay by Daniel Howell: http://bit.do/Basically-Im-Gay
Realising We’re Gay by Jessica Kellgren-Fozard: http://bit.do/Realising-Were-Gay
Figuring Out Your Gender
Books
Gender Identity, Sexuality and Autism by Eva A. Mendes and Meredith R. Maroney
Queerly Autistic: The Ultimate Guide for LGBTQIA+ Teens on the Spectrum by Erin Ekins
Trans Teen Survival Guide by Owl and Fox Fisher
Uncomfortable Labels: My Life as a Gay Autistic Trans Woman by Laura Kate Dale
Trans: A Memoir by Juliet Jacques
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
‘The Gender Unicorn’ by Trans Student Education Resources: https://transstudent.org/gender/
Mermaids: https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/young-people
Childline: www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/sexual-identity/transgender-identity
ReachOut: https://au.reachout.com/articles/everything-you-needto-know-about-gender
YouTube videos
Having Pride by Thomas Sanders: http://bit.do/Having-Pride
End of Pride Month Q & Gay by Thomas Sanders and Friends: http://bit.do/Q-And-Gay
The Sex Education You Never Had *PRIDE EDITION* by Ellbat: http://bit.do/Sex-Education-You-Never-Had
The Neverending Queer-y: My Queer Ace Journey by Vesper (Queer as Cat): http://bit.do/The-Neverending-Queery
How I Knew I Was Transgender by Jammidodger: http://bit.do/HowI-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/JustGender-Dysphoria-Things
My Genderation Documentary Films by My Genderation: http://bit.do/My-Genderation
Coming Out
‘Coming out’ is when you tell others (friends, family, doctor’s, teachers, co-workers, etc.) about your gender or sexuality. You don’t have to come out as soon as you figure these things out. If it’s safer for you not to come out, then please put your safety first. Here are some resources on coming out. If you feel unsafe, or if you have come out and now need urgent support, please contact one of the listed organisations on our ‘Help’ page.
Books
Gender Identity, Sexuality and Autism by Eva A. Mendes and Meredith R. Maroney
Queerly Autistic: The Ultimate Guide for LGBTQIA+ Teens on the Spectrum by Erin Ekins
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/kip/comingout
Stonewall: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/help-advice/coming-out-0
Childline: www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/sexual-identity/coming-out
YouTube videos
These are just a selection of some coming out videos (or videos about coming out). There are lots of these videos on the internet – you can search ‘coming out’ for more.
Basically I’m Gay by Daniel Howell: http://bit.do/Basically-Im-Gay
Coming Out (Elle Mills Style) by Elle Mills: http://bit.do/ComingOut-Elle-Mills
I’m Gay by Eugene Lee Yang: http://bit.do/Im-Gay-Eugene
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
The Sex Education You Never Had *PRIDE EDITION* by Ellbat: http://bit.do/Sex-Education-You-Never-Had
Now here are some organisations you can turn to for support if your home isn’t safe for you to come out, or if you come out and the people you live with react badly.
Transitioning
Transition means to begin living as your correct gender identity. This may (but doesn’t have to) include: changing your name, changing your pronouns, changing your appearance, updating your professional documents (like your passport or driver’s licence), or pursuing medical treatment (like hormones or gender confirmation surgery).
Books
Trans Teen Survival Guide by Owl and Fox Fisher
Queerly Autistic: The Ultimate Guide for LGBTQIA+ Teens on the Spectrum by Erin Ekins
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
Transgender 101: A Simple Guide to a Complex Issue by Nicholas M. Teich
Links
Mermaids: https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/young-people/resourcesfor-young-people
Gendered Intelligence: http://genderedintelligence.co.uk/project/kip/genderex
Gendered Intelligence: http://genderedintelligence.co.uk/projects/kip/transitioning
NHS: www.nhs.uk/conditions/gender-dysphoria/treatment
YouTube videos
FTM Outro || Transition Start to Finish by Jammidodger: http://bit.do/FTM-Outro
Trans Guys Comparing Transitions ft. Noah Finnce by Jammidodger: http://bit.do/Trans-Guys-Comparing-Transitions
I’m Transgender Playlist by Mathilda Hogberg: http://bit.do/Im-Transgender
The Sex Education You Never Had *PRIDE EDITION* by Ellbat: http://bit.do/Sex-Education-You-Never-Had
Information on being trans and autistic
Wenn Lawson, a trans autistic man and researcher of 20 years, has several books published which might be helpful, and also gave an interview about his experiences of gender and autism on Network Autism (https://network.autism.org.uk/knowledge/insight-opinion/interview-dr-wenn-lawson-autism-and-gender-dysphoria)
Joe Butler, an SEN and disability consultant, has written about supporting trans or gender questioning autistic pupils in a school environment, and it may be useful to share this with any gender professionals who don’t understand (https://network.autism.org.uk/knowledge/insight-opinion/supporting-trans-and-gender-questioning-autistic-pupils)
Jay Avery, a non-binary autistic writer and activist, wrote a piece for the Huffington Post about why being autistic doesn’t mean you aren’t trans (including links to studies and information that might be helpful) (www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/jay-avery/trans-autism_b_14418218.html)
Sex and Relationships
Books
Gender Identity, Sexuality and Autism by Eva A. Mendes and Meredith R. Maroney
Queerly Autistic: The Ultimate Guide for LGBTQIA+ Teens on the Spectrum by Erin Ekins
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
Doing It! Let’s Talk About Sex by Hannah Witton (this is primarily about sex, but it has some good information about healthy relationships and spotting abuse)
Links
LGBT Foundation: http://lgbt.foundation/sexualhealth (although it is based in Manchester, the online advice is helpful)
clinicQ: https://cliniq.org.uk (a queer inclusive trans-led wellbeing and sexual health service)
Stonewall: www.stonewall.org.uk/category/sexual-health (a list of organizations and websites that might be helpful)
The National Autistic Society: www.autism.org.uk/sexeducation (this is aimed at parents and carers, but it still has some useful information)
Gendered Intelligence: http://genderedintelligence.co.uk/projects/kip/sexualhealth
Autism and Sexual Vulnerability – One Woman’s Story, article on Neuroclastic: https://neuroclastic.com/2019/11/22/autism-andsexual-vulnerability-one-womans-story
No, Autistic People Are not Sexless, article by Violet Fenn: https://metro.co.uk/2018/01/10/no-autistic-people-are-not-sexless-oursex-lives-are-as-varied-as-anyones-7141226
YouTube videos
The Sex Education You Never Had *PRIDE EDITION* by Ellbat: http://bit.do/Sex-Education-You-Never-Had
Disability, Sex, Relationships and Dating Roundtable by Hannah Witton: http://bit.do/Disability-Sex-Relationships-and-Dating
Autism and Sexuality by Purple Ella: http://bit.do/Autism-AndSexuality
AIM for the Rainbow 