Recent research has confirmed what many of us neurodivergent folks already suspected — that people who identify as neurodivergent are far more likely to also identify as LGBTQ+.

• A recent paper by the University of Cambridge found that autistic people are eight times more likely to identify as LGBTQ+.
• The Brain Charity reports that in the wider neurodivergent community, significantly more people are likely to identify as LGBTQ+.

Perhaps this is because those of us who question our neurotype are more likely to question our gender and sexuality, or because as neurodivergent people we are less likely to adhere to social norms.

For those of us who diverge from or queer “typical” social norms, what does it mean to us to embrace our neurodivergent and queer identities and live authentically and proudly?

And for many of us who are late diagnosed, the experience of “coming out” as neurodivergent can feel very similar to our experiences of coming out as LBGTQ+ — how do we navigate that and all the potential emotions and vulnerabilities it can stir up?

In this roundtable especially for Pride month, Joyfully Different Co-Founder Alice Reeves is joined by Arlo West, a Trans & Non Binary EDI Consultant & Speaker, Graphic Designer and Founder of Studio Arlo, to explore:

• What do the terms “neurodivergence” and “queerness” mean to us?
• How was our experience of “coming out” as neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ different or similar?
• What are the challenges of transitioning (whether NHS or privately) and disclosing a neurodivergent diagnosis?
• How do we deal with people who make ignorant or misinformed comments about our queer and neurodivergent identities?