I’m autistic, and I’m asexual. It’s kind of a stereotype for autistic people to be ace, so is it okay for me to be both autistic and ace?
Totally! Asexual autistic people exist
The thing with stereotypes is there are always going to be some people who fit into the stereotype. And there’s nothing wrong with that. You can’t control your sexuality or neurotype so don’t let anyone make you feel bad about it.
I’m autistic and asexual too. Stereotyping is something done to a marginalised group by a privileged group. Someone from a marginalised group happening to fit a stereotype is not their fault, and is not what’s harming their community.
If someone’s trying to conflate autism and asexuality, it’s because that person is ableist and aphobic, and it’s not your responsibility to prove them wrong. Autistic people can have any sexual orientation, and that includes being ace.
I’ve got some more thoughts on the ‘autism <=> asexuality’ stereotype, particularly with regards to infantilisation, and being seen as unemotional or robotic, but I should make my own post for that.
When you’re trying to figure out if someone could be ace or aro
(Image description: the rainbow, trans, lesbian, nonbinary, bisexual, asexual, intersex, pansexual, genderfluid, and aromantic pride flags with centered text. Together the text says: “There is nothing wrong with you. You are supposed to be here. It’s okay for you to love who you love. It’s okay for you to be who you are. You are exactly who you are meant to be. You are not broken. You were born perfect as you are. You belong in this community. You belong in this world. You are wonderful and worthy and enough.”)
Happy Pride to all the aces and aros and bis and pans and enbies and queers and everyone else in the “we always get left out” club. And none for all the gatekeepers, bye.
aceofsquiddles 