Neurodiversity Pride on the Double Rainbow
The Double Rainbow
Autistic people are much more likely to identify as LGBTQIA+ and vice versa.
Researchers have confirmed what many of us have known from experience:
Around 24% of gender-diverse people are autistic, compared to just 5% of cisgender people (McQuaid et al., 2024).
Autistic people are over three times as likely to be lesbian, gay or bisexual (Maggio et al., 2024).
The rate of gender diversity among autistic people is up to 60 times higher than in the general population (Voltaire et al., 2024).
This intersection is referred to as the Double Rainbow, as we are on the Neurodivergent spectrum and the LGBTQIA+ spectrum and both the Neurodiversity Movement and LGBTQIA+ Pride use rainbow imagery.
Why Intersectionality Matters
I am lucky I can be openly queer and neurodivergent without fearing for my safety. But sadly, that is not the case for everyone. Queer and racialised neurodivergent people often face more discrimination and greater dangers. That is why the Neurodiversity Movement needs an intersectional approach.
I am white, cisgender, bisexual, and gender non-conforming. I am autistic, and I have ADHD and complex PTSD. I am also a parent to queer, neurodivergent teenagers. I must acknowledge that my experiences include both marginalisation and privilege.
Around the world, we are seeing rising intolerance, wilful ignorance, and worse. Many people in the autistic and LGBTQIA+ communities are struggling, and scared. If you are quietly getting through the day instead of celebrating Pride publicly, I see you, you are valid, you belong.
Minority Stress
For people who live at the intersection of multiple marginalised identities, the world can be exhausting. Not because we are broken—but because we are often misunderstood, excluded, or judged.
This is called minority stress—the chronic stress experienced by people who belong to stigmatised groups. It comes from having to constantly navigate environments that weren’t built for us. For neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ people, this can mean:
Feeling unsafe to be out at work
Constantly masking autistic traits to avoid judgement
Experiencing misgendering, stereotyping, or invalidation
Facing barriers to education, healthcare, employment, career progression
Rarely seeing people like us represented or celebrated.
Minority stress is not caused by our identities—it is caused by discrimination and social exclusion. And it has a real impact on our mental and physical health.
Gender, Neurodivergence, and Me
My pronouns are she/they. I am not trans, and do not identify as non-binary, but I have never fit the traditional gender roles either—I am a tomboy.
I have even officially changed my name from Charlotte to Charlie, as the gender-neutral nickname suits me better.
Some people use terms like auti-gender or neuro-gender to describe gender identity shaped by autism or neurodivergence. I believe my gender experience and my neurotype are intrinsically linked.
What Real Allyship Looks Like
If you want to support neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ people in a meaningful way, here are some basics:
Use correct names and pronouns.
Ask people what helps them feel included—and listen.
Respect stimming, silence, sensory needs, and communication differences.
Challenge harmful jokes, negative stereotypes and assumptions.
Don’t force people to "come out" or "explain themselves" to be accepted.
Whether it is at work, in your friendship group, or in public spaces—create environments where people don’t have to choose between being safe and being themselves.
Living Our Truth—In Our Own Way
I often wear sunglasses on stage. Not because I think I am a rock star— I know I am a rock star! It is because I have a sensory sensitivity to bright lights. That’s a neurodivergent access need—and I don’t apologise for it.
Pride isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s:
Requesting captions at an event
Using headphones at the supermarket
Asking for breaks or flexible working
Quietly correcting false assumptions
Sharing content that promotes understanding and acceptance.
If you’re hiding in a bathroom after a meltdown, or sitting alone in a crowd, or questioning your identity—you are still part of this community. You are enough. You matter!
To every queer, neurodivergent person reading this—whatever your labels, however you live them—you’re not too much. You’re not too different. You are exactly who you are meant to be!
And to everyone who wants to build a more inclusive world: start with listening, keep showing up, and never forget that “normal” is a myth.
Happy Neurodiversity Pride Day!
2 minute video: Neurodiversity: The Double Rainbow Connection https://youtu.be/NHZOWwF4mz8?si=my1uKaIdzk-x3xxZ
Hi, I’m Charlie Hart—also known as Ausome Charlie.
Today, I am celebrating something beautiful: Neurodivergent Pride on the Double Rainbow.
Autistic people are far more likely to be LGBTQIA+ and vice versa.
This is not just anecdotal—it is backed up by research.
Nearly a quarter of gender-diverse people are autistic.
And autistic people? We are up to 60 times more likely to be gender-diverse than the general population.
This is no coincidence – It is a connection! The Double Rainbow connection.
I am Multiple-Neurodivergent.
I am Autistic, and I have ADHD and Complex PTSD.
And I am Bi/Pan and gender non-conforming.
I am a Queer AuDHDer, and Proud!
Being neurodivergent and queer is beautiful and joyful, but life on the double rainbow comes with minority stress from compounding marginalisation.
To acknowledge my privilege here:
I am white, and cisgender, maybe even straight passing, and I know I am not facing as much discrimination, even danger, as racialised people within the queer and neurodivergent community are facing.
And it is not even about us! Minority stress is not caused by our identities, by who we are. It is caused by the dominant societal reactions to our identities.
Do you want to be an ally? Start here:
Respect our names and pronouns.
Honour our accessibility needs.
Don’t expect us to justify our existence. Believe us!
Make space. And then hold the door open.
Whether your Pride is loud and colourful, or quiet and cautious— whether you’re out and proud, or still figuring it all out— You belong here.
You are not too much. You are not too different. You are exactly who you’re meant to be.
Happy Pride Month!
Happy Neurodiversity Pride Day!