Harder to be gay, or autist?

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It's a tie! Both contestants hit the floor simultaneously!

I'm autistic and gay.

It's much easier to be gay. We're seeing a successful civil right movement that is bringing gay people closer to equality every day. There are thriving gay cultures. Look at the whole "It Gets Better" campaign where adults speak directly to gay kids, telling them their lives will improve, including the president. Unthinkable when I was a child in the 1970s.

And I couldn't make an "It Gets Better" for kids with autism; it doesn't, necessarily. It's getting better-- science is helping people to understand us better all the time. For the first time, an openly autistic person has a presidential appointment. We are learning to work together.

And then there's the issue that being gay doesn't cause the sorts of problems that are inherent in my autism. Bigotry, minority status, a lack of role models, and STDs are really the only things that make being gay harder than being straight. There is no equivalent in being gay to the hypersensitivity that often makes things very difficult for people with autism. And I can't tell you how much easier it is for a community to bond and make progress toward common goals when they are not defined in part by impaired communication skills!

There are also probably about four times as many gay people as autists. I think about 4% of the population is gay, and about 1% is autistic. That's a huge difference, even though each is a tiny part of society.

As a bisexual, undiagnosed apsie, I find myself singled-out by four groups of people.

Sucks being stuck in the middle.

I find this thread highly offensive.

One is who you find sexually attractive, the other is a severe developmental disability that affects several keys areas of cognitive functioning, which impacts on one's ability to function in society, and in some cases, survive without help.

As I indicated, I agree that being gay doesn't cause the sort of inherent difficulties processing information that autism does. But I think that there enough similarities between being gay and having autism that it doesn't make sense to be offended by the comparison. Both groups are stigmatized because they have brains that work a little differently.

I believe that autistic people need to learn about the gay civil rights movement, because it offers the best model we have for improving the way we are treated by society. Being gay and being black are very different, too, but the black civil rights movement was the best model for gays. We need models and allies.

I cant stand activists, sorry but i just want to live my life in peace. i could care less about a "movement" autistic, or otherwise. besides, its not like this is the middle ages and people are being burnt at the stake

Richard, if you're making a great income and feel that the people you meet on a regular basis treat you with respect and understanding, I envy you.

If not, I think you are asking too little from life.

I see. and no i dont make a great income. last year and this, I'll bring home $11,004.
i was never concernd with moneys or friends, and really only care about what my god thinks about me, (if he has a good and favorable view of me, then nothing else matters)

Richard, I think it's great to have integrity and values to base your life around, and there's nothing wrong with finding those in religion. But-- I do you see a connection between your message and Karl Marx's idea that religion is the opiate of the masses. It's a good thing when it inspires and comforts us, a bad thing when it acts as a tranquilizer that keeps us from acting to change things that need to change.

You being undervalued is something that needs to change.

Nobody ever hassled me when I was in a relationship with another woman. It was fine. Not even my priest hassled me for that.

But I've had no end of hassle related to being on the spectrum. People misunderstanding me, treating me like a freak, talking behind my back, deliberately excluding me. Because there's no public awareness of AS issues compared with homosexual issues, life is far harder for an aspie/autie.

I don't know the answer to the question in the OP, but one difference between being gay and being on the ASD spectrum is public awareness. The Gay Rights movement has done a great job of helping people understand those who are gay. I think there is a greater lack of awareness and understanding of Autism, partly because of the wide variation of the severity of traits. Even which traits are present vary from person to person.

One attempt at promoting better public awareness and understanding can be found on YouTube. The National Autistic Society (British?) released some public service ads. Search for "I Exist." They are meant to encourage people to learn more about the subject. Not much else can be communicated in 30-60 seconds. These are quite different from "Autism Speaks" ads, which harm public understanding.