Published on 12, July, 2020
As an older person with Autism, I was brought up in very different times with different thinking, values, acceptance, behaviour, etc (1970's & 80's).
The World has changed so much since then - both for better and worse.There have been so many advancements - particularly in science and this has benefitted us ASD'ers immensely.
One thing that is troubling me is that I hold a lot of "principles" that in this day and age would be considered "Old Fashioned", "Traditional", maybe even "Bigotry" or worse.There are things that I struggle to understand or accept which are based on my traditional attitude. I was brought up in an era when....
I openly discuss or rant about these topics along with some others that may be considered taboo with closed friends and family who have all become somewhat numb to my outrageousness / inappropriateness.
I have however managed to "behave" in public (stayed on the right side of the law), but occasionally do mutter things with a level of cowardice.My concern is that now that I am officially autistic, the shackles of having to mask may have been broken and that has the potential of me saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.
My question I guess is, why are you clinging on to these values? Why are you not open to learning about the LGBTQIA+ community? If you have concerns over saying the wrong thing then perhaps it is time to open your mind up a little because I genuinely don't think you can blame your autism for being a biggot or for saying the wrong thing and I say this with kindness.
I genuinely don't think you can blame your autism for being a biggot
Sorry, but I don't recall blaming my autism for being a bigot (a label that unfortunately I cannot deny, yet it does cause me anguish).
The way that my OP appears to have been interpreted is so way off the mark. Maybe because it has provoked a reaction which, to be honest, isn't a complete surprise considering who has [kindly] responded. I mean, I appreciate that you associate yourselves with the LGBTQIA+ community, so naturally you will view a post such as mind as an attack on your beliefs.
Maybe try to re-read my OP without blinkered vision?
This is where I am now really struggling in terms of connecting with people on the Autism spectrum. Whilst I have been pleasantly surprised to find members of a similar age on here, it does appear that the majority are much younger - from a completely different generation. There really doesn't seem to be any real help or support for people like myself, who are lambasted if they make an honest and open post on a community forum that you'd hope would be more understanding.
GPK26 said:Maybe its that not liking change trait that many of use share.
This is where you have used your autism as a reason as to why you are unwilling to learn and open your mind so as to stop being a biggot, which is what I initially asked you in my original comment.You seem to believe that being LGBTQIA+ is a choice we made, which is really is not. It isn't a club that we just choose to be a part of it is a fundamental part of who we are as people. It's like breathing right you don't choose to breathe similarly we do not choose who we are sexually attracted to. Homophobia and racism is not acceptable, and yes, you will be challenged when such things are raised especially in this context.