28/04/2023
As has been reported on “ShoutOut” before, some scientific evidence suggests that there is a correlation between transgender identity and autism. But as neurodiverse conditions such as autism join with the disability activist movement in campaigning against prejudice, so people with Autism are speaking out against transphobic attempts to use neurodiversity to deny gender affirming healthcare to young people. In the States the largest network for autistic people, called The Autistic Self Advocacy Network says "ASAN strongly believes that all transgender people should have access to gender-affirming care and is deeply troubled by any use of autism as a justification for transphobic efforts that would create barriers to care.
A bill that has passed the Georgia House and Senate and will likely be signed into law, SB140, cites the fact that transgender people are more likely to be autistic or to have other developmental disabilities as a reason to ban gender-affirming care for all minors. In its first section, the bill includes the line “Gender dysphoria is often comorbid with other mental health and developmental conditions, including autism spectrum disorder.” This is cited as a justification to prohibit certain types of gender-affirming care for people under age 18. LGBTQ+ advocates have asked anyone living in Georgia to urge Governor Kemp to veto the bill. Georgia Equality has provided an online tool to do so”.
