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.
Correct, I don't feel that I have done anything wrong.
Please make use of the quote function to provide examples of where what I have said is homophobic or racist.
If you feel that our comments are slanderous then I encourage you to take the necessary steps that you feel are needed here. However, I do encourage you to open your mind and learn because only then can you understand how what you have said is homophobic and racist. At the moment you don't understand and so you don't feel you have done anything wrong.
Former Member and Former Member
Your comments are verging on slander for which there are severe legal implications.You have clearly interpreted my posts in completely the wrong way and I feel very sad at what seem like accusations you have made towards me.
You've probably already reported this post, but I can assure you that I will also be referring it to the mods / admin.
Okay so can you please clarify for me what the difference is between "it wasn't a thing" and "they didn't exist" because to me reading it they are same. If you do not believe it was a thing then you believe that LGBQIA+ people didn't exist? Maybe I am misunderstanding something however the original point that I made still stands semantics aside.
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.
Nobody's asking for drag queens to teach primary school children. Sometimes they are asked to read to children, sure- as entertainers, in public places, because it's their job to entertain the public. Drag Queen Story Time is really no different to pantomime dames and I really don't see why there's all this fuss about it.
Again Former Member, I did NOT say that they didn't exist. I said that it "WASN'T A THING" back then. Two completely different things, but you chose to read and interpret my post in a way that aligns to your beliefs.
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.
I think some of the remarks made on here are homophobic and racist, which is concerning me greatly especially as autism is being used for the reason why.
Im not sure if this conversation is homophobic but just incase it is, rule 7 in the community rules says "This is a hate-free zone for autistic people, their families and friends, and professionals working in the field. We do not permit sexism, homophobia, racism, anti-Semitism, religious intolerance, transphobia, disability hate speech, hate speech, obscenities or pornography to be posted or linked to here. " Again im not sure if this discussion is homophobic but I thought id just make sure everyone knew about this rule
GPK26 said:Some autistic people really do struggle with change.
I also struggle with change but while throwing around terms like "that's gay" were commonplace when I was at school, I don't speak like that anymore. It wasn't hard for me to grow out of that.
Yes change is difficult for Autistic people but it isn't impossible. You can't walk around using your autism as a reason to say homophobic or racist things.
They did exist back then, they were a thing you just didn't hear about them due to this thing called oppression which saw many of them brutally attacked and killed I mean why do you think pride marches exist? There isn't a heterosexual white march because it is not needed, white heterosexual people have not historically been oppressed!
Maybe its that not liking change trait that many of use share.
I cant help that I was brought up in an era when things were very different, dare I say less accepting.I was brought up in an era where gays were openly called poofs and many other derogatory terms. Same with people with different skin colour.
I'm saying that it was right, just that that was the World and environment that I was brought up in.
Some autistic people really do struggle with change.
I'm also part of the LGBTQIA+ community and every autistic person that I have met irl has also been part of the community.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think that I am homophobic. Likewise, I have had the odd gay friend in the past (no pun intended by the use of the word "odd").
It's just that it wasn't a "thing" back then. I t has certainly become a thing now which I guess is the choice of the individual. BUT I cannot lie, I think that it has gone TOO FAR in ways such as the Drag Queens that you mention. I am not a fan of the overly extrovert members of the gay community. I am not a fan of Gay Pride marches - I mean, its not like we have a white heterosexual march - if we did, then there would be uproar.
I know lots of autistic people who are also part of the lgbtqia+ community (myself included)
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 understand perfectly.
It seems that we have to suffer; due to someone else's bad childhood.
Kids aren't innocent anymore. They're egged on to be antagonistic. It's as if the State wants to Parent them.
I don't mind Gays. At Uni, I befriended a Gay man. However, all this demand for Drag Queens to teach Primary School Kids is gross.