Honoring the Intersection of Autism and LGBTQIA+ Identity at MAC Midwest
By Jaime Larry, MSW, LICSW, Director of QSP Services
At MAC Midwest, we believe every individual deserves to feel truly seen. For who they are and how they experience the world. That means creating a space where people feel safe, supported, and valued across all parts of their identity, including those related to autism, gender, and sexuality.
This Pride Month, we reflect on how deeply connected the autism and LGBTQIA+ communities are. We see this intersection every day in our centers with young people and families navigating both neurodivergence and diverse identities with strength, honesty, and courage.
What the Research Shows
Data supports what many families and individuals already know through lived experience:
- Autistic people are significantly more likely to identify as LGBTQIA+. One study found only about 30% of autistic individuals identified as exclusively heterosexual, compared to over two-thirds of non-autistic individuals (George & Stokes, 2018).
- Autistic males were 3.5× more likely to identify as bisexual, and autistic females were 3× more likely to identify as homosexual (University of Cambridge, 2020).
- Studies show that people with autism are 2 to 3 times more likely to be transgender or gender-diverse, with some reporting up to 6× greater odds of autism among gender-diverse individuals (Warrier, 2020).
These statistics are reflective of real people with real experiences. And they reinforce the importance of care that allows every individual to be respected and supported as a whole person.
What Inclusion Looks Like at MAC Midwest
“Inclusive” isn’t just how MAC Midwest describes our work. It’s one of our core organizational values. Inclusion is a commitment that lives in our hiring practices, our training, our programming, and our relationships with staff, learners, and families. It means recognizing the full humanity of each person we support, honoring who they are, and ensuring they feel a sense of belonging in every interaction.
Our role is not to define someone’s identity, but to provide consistent, individualized support that helps people build confidence, develop new skills, and move toward their own goals.
In our centers, inclusion shows up in countless ways:
- Listening deeply and honoring each person’s name, pronouns, and preferences
- Creating brave, welcoming spaces where learners and families are safe to be themselves.
- Training our teams in culturally responsive care to reflect the diversity of those we serve
- Supporting mental, emotional, and social well-being alongside therapeutic goals
- Advocating for access to care in communities that have historically been left out
Whole-Person Care
We know that people are not just their diagnoses or challenges, they are whole individuals with intersecting identities, needs, and strengths. That’s why our approach goes beyond traditional therapy to support every part of a person’s well-being.
From honoring identity and building trust to empowering self-expression and choice, we see care as a relationship rooted in dignity. This commitment shapes every interaction, every space we create, and every step we take alongside our learners and families.
Why Pride Matters in Our Work
Pride Month is a reminder of the importance of visibility, belonging, and compassion. It celebrates the strength it takes to be yourself and the value of building communities that make space for that truth.
Many of the families and individuals we serve are navigating the intersection of autism and LGBTQIA+ identity. They deserve care that meets them where they are, sees them as whole people, and supports their growth across all aspects of life.
When we say every learner belongs, we mean it.
As our colleague Darla Cleary puts it:
“A little more kindness, a little less judgment.”
References:
- George, R., & Stokes, M. A. (2018). Sexual orientation in autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
- Warrier, V., et al. (2020). Elevated rates of autism and other neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diagnoses among transgender and gender-diverse individuals. Nature Communications, 11, 3959.
- Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge (2020). Survey on gender identity and autism prevalence.
