The Link Between Neurodivergence and the LGBTQ+ Population

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As the visibility of queer and neurodivergent people increases, more researchers are curious about the overlap between these communities. Recent research estimates that 15-20% of the population is neurodivergent in some way, and 7-8% of the population is a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. The percentage of individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community is estimated to be even higher, but many don't feel safe enough to share that they are queer. Also, as more awareness is raised about how neurodivergence looks in underrepresented populations, such as females and BIPOC individuals, the rates of conditions like autism and ADHD are increasing.

It's estimated that anywhere from 30% to 70% of those who are neurodivergent are also part of the LGBTQIA+ communities, with the greatest overlap being found within the autistic community. There isn't a single answer that explains the overlap, but one assumption is that neurodivergent people are less likely to be influenced by social expectations. However, the reason for the overlap will likely become clearer over time as we continue to identify and hear about the lived experiences of neurodivergent people.

What Constitutes Neurodivergence?

Neurodivergent is an umbrella term used to describe anyone whose mind works differently than what society has deemed the norm. Neurodivergent individuals experience differences in how they interpret, experience, and digest the world around them. These differences tend to fall under specific diagnoses or labels. Examples of these labels include autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Tourette's syndrome, dyslexia, and more.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that neurodivergent isn't a medical term, but rather a label that encompasses a broad spectrum of neurological differences. Also, neurodivergence is a personal journey. One person with OCD might prefer the term neurodivergent, while another might not resonate with the label. It's essential to adopt a stance of curiosity towards ourselves and those we care about, allowing us to discover what labels feel most comfortable when navigating our lived experiences. After all, it's only us inside our brains, and we are allowed to go through periods of contemplation when it comes to our identities.

Why Are So Many Neurodivergent People LGBTQIA+?

Neurodivergent individuals, especially those on the autism spectrum, tend to be less influenced by societal expectations or restraints, which makes sense—the very definition of neurodivergent means to stand apart from the norm. Researchers are beginning to hypothesize that this tendency to be less influenced by societal expectations could be one of the reasons why neurodivergent individuals are significantly more likely to identify as LGBTQIA+ and be open about it. As more attention is devoted to this topic, additional research is expected to emerge that further expands on the reasons for the overlap.

In the meantime, queer theorists, such as Dr. Nick Walker, consider the overlap between these two identities to be best explained through a queer theory lens. Queer theory would see the intersection of neurodivergent and queer identities as an inevitable and necessary challenge to society's definition of what is normal.

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Where Does the Term Queer Come From?

Queer theory was born in the 1990s from the fields of lesbian, gay, and gender studies. Queer, like neurodivergent, is an umbrella term used to describe practices, identities, and sexualities that exist outside of cisgender and heterosexual "norms." Queer theorists critique essentialist perspectives on sexuality and gender. Instead, they view these concepts as social and cultural phenomena constructed by society.

Just as with the term neurodivergent, the term queer encapsulates an abundance of lived experiences, like gay, lesbian, trans, genderfluid, polyamory, etc. The wide reach of the word queer comes with its pros and cons. Some people argue that it dilutes the experiences of gay, lesbian, and trans people, while others see the term as a way to describe the defiance of heteronormative expectations.

Neuroqueer: Overlapping the Two

The term "neuroqueer" was introduced into the world by Dr. Nick Walker and Athena Lynn Michaels-Dillon as a way to blend queer theory with neurodiversity. Neuroqueer was first seen as a verb to describe the practice of queering, or challenging both neuronormative and heteronormative standards.

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It’s a term that explores the intersectionality of society’s expectations of neurotypical standards and socially-imposed rules surrounding heteronormativity. Neuroqueer does its best to explain the experiences of those who are both neurodivergent and queer, therefore subverting expectations of how we “should” exist.

What personal practices fall within the definition of neuroqueering? Walker identified eight characteristics:

1. Being both neurodivergent and queer and actively exploring how these parts of themselves are connected.
2. Embracing your neurodivergence in ways that also queer the expression of your gender, sexuality, ethnicity, or another part of your identity.
3. Working on expressing your unique and weird potentials by engaging in practices to undo one’s own cultural conditioning and ingrained habits of neuronormativity and heteronormativity.
4. Allowing yourself to embrace the way your brain works in ways that divert from prevailing cultural standards of neuronormativity and heteronormativity.
5. Experiencing your neurodivergence as a form of queering, as understood in queer theory.
6. Contributing to the expression of neuroqueer voices. This can be achieved through reading, writing, creating art, researching, or sharing your story.
7. Engaging in critical responses and contributions regarding the portrayal of neuroqueerness in the world.
8. Actively working to transform social and cultural environments to make them more accepting and supportive of neuroqueerness.

Living Authentically

At the end of the day, awareness of the overlap between the neurodivergence and LGBTQIA+ communities is essential. Awareness allows for more people's stories to be heard. The more stories we hear, the more authenticity we see. One person's expressed defiance of normative expectations gives another the courage to do the same.