United We Stand: A Queer Neurodivergent Rally Cry
El Dewar sets out Neurodiverse Connection’s support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Neurodiverse Connection stands shoulder to shoulder with our Neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ community…Neurodivergent liberation is LGBTQIA+ liberation, and for many of us the intersect is the world and body we inhabit.
I live in a hate crime hotspot. As a visibly Queer Neurodivergent person, I am very well aware that I live in hate crime hotspot. Micro-aggressions become more macro by the day. Tutting and rolling eyes at my pronoun pins and flapping hands have morphed into violent threats and angry shouting. When my beautiful bubble of Neurodivergent Queers meet in the pub, we joke, “who got hate-crimed on the way here?” Our laughter is medicine to the fear. One of my best friends got punched in the face the other day.
The mainstream media publishes that a “Cure for Autism” has been found. Wes Streeting pushes through the inhumane recommendations of the Cass Report. Meanwhile, we close ranks, walk each other home, feed each other when PIP has been stopped and rent is due, fundraise for wheelchairs and top surgery (both equally life-saving). We rally round each other. Neurodivergent liberation is LGBTQIA+ liberation, and for many of us the intersect is the world and body we inhabit.
They say I am a threat to society, by virtue of my gender, my sexuality, my Autism, my schizophrenia. Well, I am a threat to society, if that society is one that chooses to starve its people through inhumane welfare regulations, for fear that one person might receive a crumb of help that they 'don’t deserve'. I desire to have no part of a society that prizes work over mental and physical health. I hold in utter contempt any society where gender expression, identity and existence is vilified, policed and outlawed. We are witnessing a resurgence of eugenics—and I don’t just mean the one or two academics still spouting rhetoric that should be long since dead and buried. I mean mainstream institutions and media arguing against our right to breathe air.
So, as the cries for us not to exist become more normalised and echo around our media, institutions and governments, what do we do? What can Neurodivergent Queer people do to stem the tide? We unite.
I went to Trans Pride in Brighton a few weeks ago. I have been going for the last few years and it has become a bit of a pilgrimage for me. Sometimes it feels like we’re in our bubble and it is us against the horrors of the world. Sat watching the march, my hope grew. There weren’t just four of us, there were 40,000 of us. It is a pilgrimage for me, not just because of the ludicrous number of badges I get, but because I come away knowing I am not alone in all of this. That is powerful. Together we are powerful.
It is this power that lead me to write this blog. Our Director, Jill, messaged me and asked me to engage directly with the community and be more explicit about our inclusive approach and support offer. Neurodiverse Connection stands shoulder to shoulder with our Neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ community. We know there is strength in unity, support and community. We want to grow our offer and resources, support and community building. But to do this, we need to listen your voice. So if you have ideas or recommendations for how we can work with and for the Neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ community, please consider filling in our survey.
The world may seem terrifying at times, and the news brings new dread every day. Sometimes I despair, but to paraphrase one of my favourite films: “if there is an ounce of good in this world, it is worth fighting for.” Stay safe, stay strong and, most of all, support one another.
