Thank you so much. It's still not easy because too many people still have big negative reactions. This video has already lost me a lot of subscribers, but that means the homophobic people are exiting the space and I'm all for that.
@@i.am.mindblindReally??? People unsubscribed after this video? That's sad... I thought people following this channel would be totally okay with it. So I guess we all have to let Your videos run on silent with double speed and full ads a lot after watching them to compensate😉
I’m so with you! Highly masked but I DID know I was attracted to both boys and girls. What I didn’t know was that it was not safe to openly talk about being bisexual when I graduated college in the early 90’s. My autistic brain didn’t know I should feel ashamed . I have never identified with gender constructs. My attitude was “why would I be attracted to a person based on their genitalia?” 🤷🏻♀️
Now that I've unmasked it, I see I was always attracted to both boys and girls. But my mask just fell inline with society expectations. One other aspect was the fact I really wasn't interested in dating at all until college, and my husband was my first boyfriend. I didn't do a lot of exploring! 🤔
Welcome, welcome! Welcome to the community, friend. May you enjoy the journey to self discovery while you surround yourself with those who embrace you.
@@i.am.mindblind , I'm sorry so people who've appreciated your content weren't able to embrace you. I can imagine so many feelings I'd have in response. I'm glad you see that them seeing themselves out, however, leaves you with a community, while smaller, that is more able to fully show up for you and support you and each other. It is comforting to me, as someone who didn't sense any rejection or financial harm, to know your community is now more supportive. When one looks at the stats of queerness in the autistic community, it boggles my mind that there would be so much conditional acceptance around it. Also, I do look back and chuckle. I was raised in religious fundamentalism and was praised, in my youth, for remaining sexually pure. What none of us knew at the time was the reason I was so good at chastity was because I was a demisexual pansexual. Now I'm "polysaturated at zero" so, as a single woman, I'd still get church approval for my abstinent behavior but, if they knew my sexual orientation or gender identity, I'd be condemned to hell for who I am. The haters are so silly.
The last sentence though. Lol. Yeah, the haters really are silly. Except they cause real harm. Which takes it out of the silly arena. I wish they could understand their hypocrisy.
@@i.am.mindblind , agreed. I was thinking their logic is silly. Some of them can be terrifying. Having had to have security escort me safely to my car and do extensive safety planning for testifying on policies to protect LGBTIQA youth, I know the haters can be terrifying. I’d even call some of them terrorists as their behavior seems designed to silence entire communities and drive them back into the closet for their own safety.
PS: glad we live in times where people openly speak of this, and there are options to help people fit in better with the linear, binary portion of our global society, and there is much more acceptance of people who are not ‘normal’.
I grew up in the 60s and 70s. I didn’t even know I was way out “on the spectrum” until much later, when I learned more about it in response to a close relative being diagnosed. I used work as stimming, made games of chores, and hid the fact I had learned algebra and calculus by 6th grade. No one was playing the autism (hate that word) or spectra “BS”, so I just dumbed it down, and learned to blend in with the L7s (normies). Thanks for listening; I’ve never spoken about this (or felt the need to)…but I can relate to the challenges the neuro-divergent face.
Wow. Our childhoods were so similar. My parents got divorced when I was 12, and I saw my father maybe 15 times over the next 20 years. My youngest brother was diagnosed with ADHD when he was really young. My mother was dealing with his shenanigans 24/7, so I overcompensated by being the perfect child. I was struggling, but I kept it hidden. I didn't even realize how much I was struggling until I became aware that I was Autistic a few years ago. Looking at my life experiences through that prism made everything come into focus. I just wish I had found out before I developed a drug habit and three autoimmune disorders trying to cope with it. Looking at my life now with a clear mind and a full understanding of why I react to situations the way that I do is both a blessing and a curse. It is nice to know why things happen the way that they do, but a curse in the fact that I now have this scarlet letter hanging over my head that very few neurotypical people have even a basic understanding of. I have worked at my current job for six years, and I told everyone that I was Autistic about a month ago. I don't want to be treated differently than everyone else, but I am also intelligent enough to understand that I have to be. I can't force myself to be neurotypical when I am not. I am just setting myself up for failure.
My perfectionism carried me to about 40 when my mask started cracking with Autistic Burnout. I'm glad you were able to tell people at work, because like you said, pretending to be NT doesn't work in the long run.
I was diagnosed with autism at 49. I am now 53. In the years since my diagnosis, I’ve also been realizing that I’m queer and am still sorting out what that means for me. I now I’m non binary/agender, on the Ace spectrum and attracted to women all of which was visciously repressed for much of my life. I not ever over the years I was watching more queer content and told myself I was just trying to learn and be more understanding and less homophobic, but deep I side I knew I was looking for myself. I highly recommend Matt Baume’s channel. He covers queer pop culture and it has been invaluable in helping me understand myself and take pride in my queer identity. Thank you for sharing your experience and being g vulnerable. It really helps others like myself to be seen and know it’s ok to just be figuring stuff out later in life.
Like a lot of Autistic people, I am also bisexual and have an atypical gender presentation. I don't even have a clear label for it. I just am who I am. Trying to understand my gender presentation is what led me to discover that I was Autistic. Gender constructs never made much sense to me. I am biologically male, but traditionally feminine roles, clothing , and pursuits have always felt totally natural to me. I have no desire to transition or alter my body in any way, but I have always been closer to a woman than a man my entire life. A lot of people don't know how to take me. I keep my appearance relatively neutral in public so that I don't draw unwanted attention to myself, but I stopped wearing male clothing years ago. It just never felt right. For most of my life, I masked this part of my life just like everything else. I have only begun showing more of my true self in the last few years, and I am still learning to be comfortable in my own skin. Sometimes I wish that people would stop getting so upset over things that do not affect them, particularly if they have never taken the time to learn about the things they are getting so upset about.
My trans son is a lot like that. He's autistic AFAB but just is a boy. He doesn't (at this time) want to alter his body but he just feels comfortable being a boy. People just get so hung up on binary gender and it really is silly. Obviously the extent they care makes it a problem. But I wish they could see it doesn't effect them at all.
Aww, I love reading this, and I relate to you! I wish I could meet more people like us in person haha. I love that people find such comfort and community in labels, but like you I'm kinda just vibing with being non-normative and people also don't know how to take me unless I mask my non-normativity.
Like I said in an earlier post, I am biologically male, and I became aware that I was Autistic at 41 years old. I know three men personally that are undoubtedly Autistic like me, but are undiagnosed. One of them is my best friend of 36 years. I began recognizing his symptoms and behaviors decades ago, without understanding why he did the things he did. I guess that's why we became so close over the years. We are very similar. We just always understood one another. I think there are a lot more undiagnosed men than anyone realizes. Men are taught from an early age not to display any weakness or vulnerability. Men are essentially taught to mask. For whatever reason, there is very little support specifically tailored to men within the Autistic community. The majority of the Autism channels and support networks are run by women and are directly targeted primarily to women. When I first began researching signs of Autism, the first 10-20 search results were "signs of Autism in women". I have never seen any result for "signs of Autism in men". All of the results are gender neutral or focused on women. I think we are only at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to diagnosing Autistic men. There needs to be much more focus on it than there currently is. There are a lot of men falling through the cracks.
From me a "yes, but..."😉 I guess the reason why now there are a lot of channels for or more from neurodiverse women* is because we were not seen for so long and this needed to be changed. And the not presenting stereotype autistic men* also (the autistic stereotype of a cis-male white higher middle-class boy not able to speak or look in anybodys eyes beeing either a savant or having a severe learning disability and is obsessed with trains....of cause loves maths and is very nerdy😅) For me it feels very cosy inclusive in the online autistic community. And I feel the cis-hetero-males here are very lovely and supportive, for me very positive different to the biggest part of men in general in my generation (around 50). I hope and believe that hurtful genderstereotypes disappear more and more with every new generation. I like the now around 20, 30 a lot, they are mostly much more openminded then my generation in general to me. And there are channels like the one of Orion Kelly, Thomas Henley or Mike from "autistic_af" (after fourty here as he is also late diagnosed). Or "You can call me Mr.Joe", "the neurodiverse doc" (?), one is called something with aspergers in the channels name, a cis-hetero (?) guy who is also coaching other autistics. They all present to me very open to all gender/gender-representations and sexualities. I as a cis-female tended a lot to participate on feminist women* (FLINTA) only safe-spaces. And I very much like to feel very safe now on autistic cis-male hosted channels. I hope You find Your space and feel welcomed as You are🤗 (consent-hug)
What you call gender neutral is more related to men (the most studied part of the spectrum). Books, professionals, etc. have better understanding of masculine autism. That's why women had to create specific content because we have been unseen for almost all of this time and awareness must be created.
I am demisexual. I only found that out when I became friends with a woman who lives nearby who I ended up falling in love in(it had a bad ending though as she didn't feel the same way). I thought I was just asexual until that point in my life. I am a transwoman/fem too. I only worked that out a few years ago. What threw me off making me dismiss being trans was I like women I have never been attracted to men. I only figured it out a few years ago you can be attracted to women and be a woman. So I guess that makes me gay. I am also autistic and maybes ADHD too. My world is upside down right now.
Our awareness of ourselves is constantly evolving. I'm sorry it didn't work out for you, but it is awesome you learned a bit more about who you are. That to me, is thrilling.
I knew internally from the beginning that I was bisexual, but I was in denial for a few years. Whenever I had a gay attraction, i would write it off as something else, much like you talked about in the video. It took me a long time to fully accept it, and probably another decade before I reached the point where I would feel comfortable pursuing a gay relationship. Though I don't consider myself fully closeted at this point since I do not actively hide anything, I have also not officially "come out" to anyone in my life, and I don't know that I ever will for a variety of reasons. I definitely have no plans of it until I am in a committed gay relationship, if and when that ever happens.
So I’m comfortably “straight,” but I have been deeply exploring the possibility of embracing being nonbinary for several months. Also, I absolutely resonate with your last bit about always being an enthusiastic ally for any marginalized group, only to finally realize over these past few years that I’ve been a part of several of those groups all my life.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I was also diagnosed quite late in life because I grew up in the 1970s when no one knew what autism was. By the time there was any awareness of it I had already graduated high school and people just wrote me off as lazy because I couldn't keep a job for more than 3 months. I was obviously bisexual from the very beginning (also before anyone accepted that was a real thing). My peeling off the layers has included tourettes and being transgender and learning all the implication of how all of these things have comorbid reactions.
Thank you so much for this wonderful video. It made a huge difference for me. Huge. Call it autistic naivte, but i am shocked people in this community would unsubscribe over this. It's part of being in this community. Anyway you are glowing in the video so I'm thinking your self discovery suits you! Thank you again.
It is difficult to unpack sexuality and gender presentation issues when you don't have a supportive environment. I am going through that process now, and have been for a few years now. My mother and I live together and share the bills, due to the fact that neither of us make enough money to live independently. I have an atypical gender presentation, and my mother is an obsessive For "news" viewer. She will be having surgery soon, and I had to accompany her to the hospital and speak with the surgeon. She told me I had to butch up and look like a man since I was going to be representing her. I found my most masculine looking clothing that I had, and she still made me change and we had a big fight over it. I gave her what she wanted, but I wore a t shirt with the trans pride flag on it. She doesn't know what the trans pride flag looks like, so it was my own little private rebellion. She thought she was preventing anyone from knowing it, and I was displaying it as overtly as possible.
😁 Hihi, I like that picture I have now in my head You wearing that T-Shirt and she not knowing next to You thinking she won that fight. But I hope You can live more like You want in future. A consent hug 🤗 from a 48yo queer AuDHD mum of a cis-hetero-male ADHD man.
We have such similar neurotypes it's bonkers!! I was also the "perfect" little girl, always doing what she was told, before she was even asked, and also with a younger sibling that got most of the attention. 🤯🤯But like you mentioned, there would always be things that would come up that would lead to epic, total meltdowns and no one ever thought to wonder WHY. ❤🧡💛💚💙💜 as always, thank you for sharing!
The bright colours are really suiting you Amanda. I think those earrings look fantastic on you 😻 Congratulations on the latest part of your self discovery journey and thank you for sharing this with us. I only learned the term Demi sexual in recent years, up until that point I thought that’s how it was for everyone, which explains why I had a few misunderstandings over the years. I still find it hard to get my head round how there are a lot of people who do not need emotional connection to have sex with someone. What I find even harder to get my head round is how some people would unsubscribe because you’ve said something about your sexual identity. I just don’t get homophobia/sexism/racism at all and can’t understand the mentality of people with those ideas. Oh, and I’m also pansexual and non binary (but more asexual in general now I’m too old to bother thinking about it any more!
Thank you! It's been so awesome having this community to connect with too. I think some people are just scared of what they don't understand. I'm not sure.
My sexuality is very similar to yours. I can be attracted to anyone, and though I did have one "hookup" type relationship when I was younger, I generally do not form a sexual attraction to someone until I get to know them. I would say that I am more sexually attracted to men but I have never had a relationship with a man since I have never had a close enough relationship with a like minded man to form that attraction. I just don't have any interest in promiscuity, regardless of the gender of my partner. It just doesn't do anything for me. I guess sexuality is something I am still unpacking. I am more broadly and aesthetically attracted to women, but more sexually attracted to men. My atypical gender presentation applies to all aspects of life, so finding a balance with a partner of any gender who can accept the fact my role within a relationship does not match my physical appearance is quite complicated and difficult to find.
You sound very much like a "attractive personality" too me (although I think You are much too young/about 25 ? for me personally to be attracted in a romantic way, but that's not the point). I am sure there will be a person that finds it very attractive and then falls in love with You and - my fingers are crossed - You feel the same then😊.
So I don’t think I’m adhd but I get super distracted and lost in thought in the shower lol. More times than I can count I’ve started to get out of the shower and then realized I forgot to do something. Often something super obvious like rinsing my hair.
After watching this amazing video, I am more convinced that ever, that your biographical memory block and aphantasia are an expression of a powerful mask. It would be very destructive of your mask if you could vividly remember your thoughts and have an inner monologue about them. With your continuing exploration of your inner self, I would not at all be surprised if you experience breakthroughs with respect to both biographical memory and inner voice. The adventure continues.
I don't create new Autobiographical memories. I don't have Autobiographical Memory of my trip to Hawaii this last December. I know we went. I can list a handful of things we did. I don't remember the experience or the details. 🤷🏼♀️
@@i.am.mindblind My point is that recalling autobiographical memories might include remembering thoughts that your mask was built to block. Much simpler to block all autobiographical memory than it is to sort all the memories of every thought and experience, in order to block only the memories that might interfere with the mask. As a possibly related aside, have you heard of the rock opera, "Tommy"? It is all about masking.
Hey, I get the feeling you just don't believe I have Aphantasia and SDAM. I get you're curious and I do like answering questions, but it's starting to get frustrating. I've stated many times that SDAM is the best fit for the way my memory works for the moment. I have the same experience with my memory as everyone else I talk to who also has SDAM. If something comes along and fits better or explains my memory loss better then I'll go with that. I'm not tied to one label. Also it's very obvious that memory is much more complex than a lot of people realize. Some of my memory has to do with having ADHD that affects short-term memory. Maybe unmasking does cover some more semantic memory for me. It has not yet uncovered any episodic memories. I don't mind your curiosity, but I do mind the fact that it seems like you're trying to cure me of something I am not interested in being cured of. I think if all my memories came rushing back to me it would be detrimental to my mental health. My brain has no coping mechanism to have episodic memories. Many blind people have talked about this too they've so adapted to being blind, their brains would not be adapted to seeing again. I saw a video where a blind person was able to have surgery that restored vision, and it was so incredibly overwhelming that they regretted the surgery.
I don't understand why You can't (?), don't want to (?) accept a clear "Thanks, but no thanks" for the first, second, third...time. Why not accept and embrace aphantasia same as ASD, ADHD or beeing queer? I don't have to speak for Amanda, I just get angry myself as this triggers my sense for (in-)justice as a (queer cis-female non-aphantasia) AuDHDer.
Woooooooo congratulations!! Figuring out your sexual and gender orientation is already confusing enough, but when you layer autism and asexuality on top, it's hard not to be like "it's all a construct and even though all of it matters, none of it matters!!!" lol! I guess I'm comfortable resting in the space of "I'm queer," because I have a non-normative experience of sex and gender, but I'm also tempted to be one of those 'annoying' people who's like "no labels, maybe?" Like sure, bi-spectrum, ace-spectrum, gender's kinda meh because I just want to be seen as a person more than a gender, but I don't feel like a label other than "non normative," feels important to me at this point. It's all so nebulous! But yeah, I can definitely relate to all this. I remember watching the Matrix for the first time in high school and being like "WOAH Keanu Reeves 😍" and then "WOAH Trinity 😍" and just wishing I could sandwhich non-sexually but still romantically-sorta between the two of them (this feeling still remains every time I watch the trilogy to this day lol), and my poor little high-masking highschool self being like "but I guess I'm still straight."🤣
I finally came out this year at age 64. I had realized that I was what they call non-binary. And as an NB of course I'm bi. Never knew it was considered "wrong" so when the first girl I tried to fool around was totally disgusted I did realize it was something to hide. I now know that if you're NB or trans you are 6x more likely to be autistic or have ADHD or both. Well, that's me. Autistic and have ADHD.
If a gay man is a celebate priest he still knows he is attracted to men and therefore gay. If a bi/pansexual woman is in a relationship with a man she still knows that she is attracted to other sexes. I have been in a monogamous relationship with my boyfriend for 13 years. I still consider myself bi/pansexual. Because of who I am attracted to.
@katzenbekloppt2412 glad you liked it. 👊 I usually give an explanation of the term when I share one, but I was feeling weird about this one because I feel like it doesn't fully fit me, but if I just said the definition I was gonna wind up writing a confusing novella about the nuance of how it relates to me 🤣
Welcome to the (queer) party, Amanda ❤ 🏳️🌈!!! Well, I (48 cis-female) fell in love with a girl as late teenager first time and was a bit confused, as I had had sex with boys or young men before and liked it. But it never felt wrong for me and I guess that is because I am (late diagnosed) AuDHD. The concept of heterosexual beeing "good" and everything else "bad" totally made no sense for me. As (some) lesbians telling me I just have to come out lesbian...🙄 Or the "straight" girls that kissed me or had sex with me secretly and then went back to their unhappy heterosexual world. It felt between the chairs a lot. I always said I am attracted to persons, not to genitals, and I very much liked the then new term "pansexual" (but don't dislike bisexual and both feels right for myself. Pansexual includes better also beeing attracted to inter and trans persons after beeing attracted to them as a person, so maybe I do prefer this but am also okay beeing called bi). And I just thought listening to Your video "maybe pansexual can also include the term demisexual for You, as it means to be attracted to a persons soul first and not their body". Maybe thats an idea You like😊? I don't know if demisexual in general is a label for me NOW, but I feel more that way getting older and (better ?) listen, care for my needs. Maybe that is also connected with finding out I am also autistic (after being diagnosed AD(H)D arround 30yo)? Unmasking? I am not sure about this now, but I could overthink this for a while😅. When I was young I liked sex a lot, maybe used it as a stim (?), had a lot of one-night-stands, short affairs. The older I get the more I am longtime single and/or have just monogam and longer relationships. Sex is not so important for me as it was when I was much younger. But I don't think one is better then the other, I just follow my needs. I am single now after beeing married with a much younger (15years) man and very okay with this at the moment as I very much need to be alone and don't need "someone", but I would welcome "the one" if I will fall in love again (and the other person too of cause😅). At the moment I imagine that person more to be a woman*, I mostly feel more emotionally connected to them; but who knows? The persons had been much older and younger, taller and shorter, thinner or bigger and I really don't care about. There is a picture/type of what I find very attractive, but falling in love with the soul of somebody makes them very attraktive to me at all. And of cause one is bisexual even if they never ever have sex with a person of different gender if one feels that way. Like one is not asexual just not have had sex in their life, but would like to in general. Or is not asexual if living in a relationship and sometimes having (consensual) sex with their partner out of love, but wouldn't have on their own. This is the same like beein nonbinary or trans, it is not defined by genitals or chromosomes how one identifies theirselves. I hope I was able to express my thoughts understandable for everyone beeing not-native-englishspeaker. Happy queer pride month to everyone, also allies❣
That’s interesting that being demi made it easier to not realize you are bi, and the comments about objectification of women confusing things further is insightful. I’d been wondering if I might be bi but get confused for all the same reasons. Yet, it is undeniable that I’ve been strong attracted to women before. Like it probably isn’t just “acknowledging beauty” if while standing near a particular woman that I adored, I wanted to hold them around the waist and kiss them on the cheek, lol. But somehow I didn’t figure that out until two years ago… or let myself even consider that desire is a sapphic one. Since I am also attracted to men, I could convince myself I was straight. It’s not something that would be acceptable in my family at all, let alone the discrimination in wider society. There is a very vivid memory from when I was about seven where I was watching a movie with my very Christian family and two men kissed in a scene. My family went ape shit over it, and I remember feeling frightened by their extreme disgust and ashamed because I didn’t understand what was wrong. Trying to be Christian up until I was about 15, I rejected queer identities as well because I was told they were wrong and also told that if I didn’t “internally” know they were wrong then that was also wrong and I’d be shamed for even asking why it was wrong. 🙁 When I let go of that ideology, I was more free to accept everyone for who they are, but I still feel really afraid of what would happen to me if I ever revealed my attraction to women or acted on it. Like really afraid. Like being disowned and rejected by long time loved ones, thought of as disgusting, causing my mom anguish because it goes against her beliefs, etc. It’s so brave to come out. I’m glad it has been changing more and more in recent years and I hope younger folks today will never have to feel like something intrinsic about who they are is wrong. So I admire you for putting out this video. Your excitement and joy discovering these new things about yourself is so soothing and infectious. Thank you! ❤
Thank you for this comment. Yes, I'm so thankful it's getting easier to come out, but we still have so far to go. I did have one family member disown me when my son came out trans. But I'd rather not have that person in my life if he can't accept us how we are. I know that isn't always the case for everyone. He was a close relative and I miss who I used to think he was. But I didn't rely on him for support in any way and that can effect some people's decisions to come out. I feel like I'm rambling, but just know I see you and I'm glad you can even acknowledge some of these things to yourself. ❤️ It makes a difference
I'm sorry that you are loosing subscribers. I can appreciate and understand the correlation between Autism and the community. Obviously, every autistic person is not gay and not every gay is autistic. Much like not every autistic person is an atheist. Me personally, Not only do i believe in God, but I'm not gay and I'm autistic plus adhd. What people FEEL and DO in their lives: is none of my business. I'm just happy that you are happy. I also have my set of challenges of being judged and hated, just because i believe in Jesus Christ. So i dont think any one group is safe. 😅 I'm glad that you are learning about yourself and knowing what makes you tick essentially. Just like i did. (Following Jesus Christ). With strength and perseverance, you'll get to know more of who, and what, you truely are. When i see the flag it remind me of Hope. Gilbert Baker is the man who came up with the idea of a rainbow flag for the LGBTQ community back in the 70s. In his memoir, Rainbow Warrior, his inspiration for the flag is not much known. I really wish it was known. "A rainbow flag was a conscious choice, natural and necessary. The rainbow came from earliest recorded history as a symbol of hope. In the Book of Genesis (Bible) it appeared as proof of a covenant between God and all living creatures." We can never lose Hope. Romans 13:8 "Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law". John 13:34-35 "As i have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." 🙏🌎🕊️
Queer, AuDHD and believing in god (although we have a hard time and a bit disturbed relationship at the moment). Am member of lutheran german church, but also go to catholic services or visit other religion temples for interest in interreligious dialogue. Liked the local Sikh-temple for example, it is very equal between genders there and they serve a vegan/vegetarian meal for everybody at each service. Nice athmosphere! For me there never had been a conflict with each of it (sexuality/gender/neurotype/beliefs), but for many queer or religious people it has been. I don't care. I am very much okay with atheists or people believing in whatever religion and the god I believe in has a lot more real problems then for example sexuality. I mean, I believe we got the ability to love, a yoyful sexuality or beeing happily aro/asexual from her*him*they, so why should it bother they*him*her (or any human)?
Becareful who you hate, it might be someone you love. I'm glad our paths crossed for a brief moment in time. Peace be with you and I hope you find more kindness in your life than you are currently able to extend towards me.
@@i.am.mindblind It's surprising to me, given the strong empathic and inclusive ethos of your content, that it took you coming out for some people to be like "now wait a dang minute- you're FOR the gays???" I have a lot of respect for the grace in which you're handling it!
Proud of you for coming out and thank you for sharing! ❤🧡💛💚💙💜
Thank you for watching and supporting! ❤️
Congrats on coming out! This was clearly an emotional video to make. We can almost hear your heart pounding.
Thank you so much. It's still not easy because too many people still have big negative reactions. This video has already lost me a lot of subscribers, but that means the homophobic people are exiting the space and I'm all for that.
@@i.am.mindblindReally??? People unsubscribed after this video?
That's sad...
I thought people following this channel would be totally okay with it.
So I guess we all have to let Your videos run on silent with double speed and full ads a lot after watching them to compensate😉
I’m so with you! Highly masked but I DID know I was attracted to both boys and girls. What I didn’t know was that it was not safe to openly talk about being bisexual when I graduated college in the early 90’s. My autistic brain didn’t know I should feel ashamed . I have never identified with gender constructs. My attitude was “why would I be attracted to a person based on their genitalia?” 🤷🏻♀️
Also I am an afab woman married to an amab male. I AM proudly bisexual and nobody has the right to tell me otherwise.
Now that I've unmasked it, I see I was always attracted to both boys and girls. But my mask just fell inline with society expectations. One other aspect was the fact I really wasn't interested in dating at all until college, and my husband was my first boyfriend. I didn't do a lot of exploring! 🤔
@@i.am.mindblind...which is totally fine as You both are happy with each other and Your life😊
There is no need to "proof".
Welcome, welcome! Welcome to the community, friend. May you enjoy the journey to self discovery while you surround yourself with those who embrace you.
Thank you! I needed this after the max exodus of subscribers this video created. But I'd rather them leave if they can't be welcoming. ❤️
@@i.am.mindblind , I'm sorry so people who've appreciated your content weren't able to embrace you. I can imagine so many feelings I'd have in response. I'm glad you see that them seeing themselves out, however, leaves you with a community, while smaller, that is more able to fully show up for you and support you and each other. It is comforting to me, as someone who didn't sense any rejection or financial harm, to know your community is now more supportive. When one looks at the stats of queerness in the autistic community, it boggles my mind that there would be so much conditional acceptance around it.
Also, I do look back and chuckle. I was raised in religious fundamentalism and was praised, in my youth, for remaining sexually pure. What none of us knew at the time was the reason I was so good at chastity was because I was a demisexual pansexual. Now I'm "polysaturated at zero" so, as a single woman, I'd still get church approval for my abstinent behavior but, if they knew my sexual orientation or gender identity, I'd be condemned to hell for who I am. The haters are so silly.
The last sentence though. Lol. Yeah, the haters really are silly. Except they cause real harm. Which takes it out of the silly arena. I wish they could understand their hypocrisy.
I just want to put big !!!! after both of Your comments, so much feel the same!
@@i.am.mindblind , agreed. I was thinking their logic is silly. Some of them can be terrifying. Having had to have security escort me safely to my car and do extensive safety planning for testifying on policies to protect LGBTIQA youth, I know the haters can be terrifying. I’d even call some of them terrorists as their behavior seems designed to silence entire communities and drive them back into the closet for their own safety.
PS: glad we live in times where people openly speak of this, and there are options to help people fit in better with the linear, binary portion of our global society, and there is much more acceptance of people who are not ‘normal’.
I grew up in the 60s and 70s. I didn’t even know I was way out “on the spectrum” until much later, when I learned more about it in response to a close relative being diagnosed. I used work as stimming, made games of chores, and hid the fact I had learned algebra and calculus by 6th grade. No one was playing the autism (hate that word) or spectra “BS”, so I just dumbed it down, and learned to blend in with the L7s (normies). Thanks for listening; I’ve never spoken about this (or felt the need to)…but I can relate to the challenges the neuro-divergent face.
Praise God for yOu going the way! You did not grow up in worse times than me tho, I had it no easier grewing up in the 2000's
@@AlphaStudios-lh1rz It is not a contest...
Wow. Our childhoods were so similar. My parents got divorced when I was 12, and I saw my father maybe 15 times over the next 20 years. My youngest brother was diagnosed with ADHD when he was really young. My mother was dealing with his shenanigans 24/7, so I overcompensated by being the perfect child. I was struggling, but I kept it hidden. I didn't even realize how much I was struggling until I became aware that I was Autistic a few years ago. Looking at my life experiences through that prism made everything come into focus. I just wish I had found out before I developed a drug habit and three autoimmune disorders trying to cope with it. Looking at my life now with a clear mind and a full understanding of why I react to situations the way that I do is both a blessing and a curse. It is nice to know why things happen the way that they do, but a curse in the fact that I now have this scarlet letter hanging over my head that very few neurotypical people have even a basic understanding of. I have worked at my current job for six years, and I told everyone that I was Autistic about a month ago. I don't want to be treated differently than everyone else, but I am also intelligent enough to understand that I have to be. I can't force myself to be neurotypical when I am not. I am just setting myself up for failure.
My perfectionism carried me to about 40 when my mask started cracking with Autistic Burnout. I'm glad you were able to tell people at work, because like you said, pretending to be NT doesn't work in the long run.
Thanks for your incite, I am glad you are learning more about your self....
I’d like to recommend the Handsome Podcast. It’s Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster and May Martin just talking and being funny while gay.
oh thank you for this recommendation!
LOVE Tig Notaro, I'm definitely checking this out.
I just wanna say it makes me very happy to hear that your relationship with your partner has grown stronger through your autistic realization journey.
I'm so thankful ❤️
I was diagnosed with autism at 49. I am now 53. In the years since my diagnosis, I’ve also been realizing that I’m queer and am still sorting out what that means for me. I now I’m non binary/agender, on the Ace spectrum and attracted to women all of which was visciously repressed for much of my life. I not ever over the years I was watching more queer content and told myself I was just trying to learn and be more understanding and less homophobic, but deep I side I knew I was looking for myself. I highly recommend Matt Baume’s channel. He covers queer pop culture and it has been invaluable in helping me understand myself and take pride in my queer identity. Thank you for sharing your experience and being g vulnerable. It really helps others like myself to be seen and know it’s ok to just be figuring stuff out later in life.
OMG. Same. Same. Same. Same. Same. That’s all for now 🏳️🌈
😊 It's good to know it's not a unique experience in this case!
Like a lot of Autistic people, I am also bisexual and have an atypical gender presentation. I don't even have a clear label for it. I just am who I am. Trying to understand my gender presentation is what led me to discover that I was Autistic. Gender constructs never made much sense to me. I am biologically male, but traditionally feminine roles, clothing , and pursuits have always felt totally natural to me. I have no desire to transition or alter my body in any way, but I have always been closer to a woman than a man my entire life. A lot of people don't know how to take me. I keep my appearance relatively neutral in public so that I don't draw unwanted attention to myself, but I stopped wearing male clothing years ago. It just never felt right. For most of my life, I masked this part of my life just like everything else. I have only begun showing more of my true self in the last few years, and I am still learning to be comfortable in my own skin. Sometimes I wish that people would stop getting so upset over things that do not affect them, particularly if they have never taken the time to learn about the things they are getting so upset about.
My trans son is a lot like that. He's autistic AFAB but just is a boy. He doesn't (at this time) want to alter his body but he just feels comfortable being a boy. People just get so hung up on binary gender and it really is silly. Obviously the extent they care makes it a problem. But I wish they could see it doesn't effect them at all.
👍👍👍👍😻
Oh yes, I wish too!
Never got what people can be mad about something like sex or gender of someone else. Just don't get it.
Aww, I love reading this, and I relate to you! I wish I could meet more people like us in person haha. I love that people find such comfort and community in labels, but like you I'm kinda just vibing with being non-normative and people also don't know how to take me unless I mask my non-normativity.
Like I said in an earlier post, I am biologically male, and I became aware that I was Autistic at 41 years old. I know three men personally that are undoubtedly Autistic like me, but are undiagnosed. One of them is my best friend of 36 years. I began recognizing his symptoms and behaviors decades ago, without understanding why he did the things he did. I guess that's why we became so close over the years. We are very similar. We just always understood one another. I think there are a lot more undiagnosed men than anyone realizes. Men are taught from an early age not to display any weakness or vulnerability. Men are essentially taught to mask. For whatever reason, there is very little support specifically tailored to men within the Autistic community. The majority of the Autism channels and support networks are run by women and are directly targeted primarily to women. When I first began researching signs of Autism, the first 10-20 search results were "signs of Autism in women". I have never seen any result for "signs of Autism in men". All of the results are gender neutral or focused on women. I think we are only at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to diagnosing Autistic men. There needs to be much more focus on it than there currently is. There are a lot of men falling through the cracks.
Yes, I suspect that their are more high masking men (or AMAB) that weren't diagnosed, which is why I mentioned that. I hope they get seen too.
From me a "yes, but..."😉
I guess the reason why now there are a lot of channels for or more from neurodiverse women* is because we were not seen for so long and this needed to be changed. And the not presenting stereotype autistic men* also (the autistic stereotype of a cis-male white higher middle-class boy not able to speak or look in anybodys eyes beeing either a savant or having a severe learning disability and is obsessed with trains....of cause loves maths and is very nerdy😅)
For me it feels very cosy inclusive in the online autistic community. And I feel the cis-hetero-males here are very lovely and supportive, for me very positive different to the biggest part of men in general in my generation (around 50).
I hope and believe that hurtful genderstereotypes disappear more and more with every new generation. I like the now around 20, 30 a lot, they are mostly much more openminded then my generation in general to me.
And there are channels like the one of Orion Kelly, Thomas Henley or Mike from "autistic_af" (after fourty here as he is also late diagnosed). Or "You can call me Mr.Joe", "the neurodiverse doc" (?), one is called something with aspergers in the channels name, a cis-hetero (?) guy who is also coaching other autistics.
They all present to me very open to all gender/gender-representations and sexualities.
I as a cis-female tended a lot to participate on feminist women* (FLINTA) only safe-spaces. And I very much like to feel very safe now on autistic cis-male hosted channels.
I hope You find Your space and feel welcomed as You are🤗 (consent-hug)
What you call gender neutral is more related to men (the most studied part of the spectrum). Books, professionals, etc. have better understanding of masculine autism. That's why women had to create specific content because we have been unseen for almost all of this time and awareness must be created.
I am demisexual. I only found that out when I became friends with a woman who lives nearby who I ended up falling in love in(it had a bad ending though as she didn't feel the same way). I thought I was just asexual until that point in my life.
I am a transwoman/fem too. I only worked that out a few years ago. What threw me off making me dismiss being trans was I like women I have never been attracted to men. I only figured it out a few years ago you can be attracted to women and be a woman. So I guess that makes me gay.
I am also autistic and maybes ADHD too.
My world is upside down right now.
Our awareness of ourselves is constantly evolving. I'm sorry it didn't work out for you, but it is awesome you learned a bit more about who you are. That to me, is thrilling.
I knew internally from the beginning that I was bisexual, but I was in denial for a few years. Whenever I had a gay attraction, i would write it off as something else, much like you talked about in the video. It took me a long time to fully accept it, and probably another decade before I reached the point where I would feel comfortable pursuing a gay relationship. Though I don't consider myself fully closeted at this point since I do not actively hide anything, I have also not officially "come out" to anyone in my life, and I don't know that I ever will for a variety of reasons. I definitely have no plans of it until I am in a committed gay relationship, if and when that ever happens.
That makes sense. All in good time at your own pace. ❤️
I still mask in public but been working on unmasking. I didn’t learn to mask until high school
I relate to that crack in the mask that peels away in layers.
So I’m comfortably “straight,” but I have been deeply exploring the possibility of embracing being nonbinary for several months.
Also, I absolutely resonate with your last bit about always being an enthusiastic ally for any marginalized group, only to finally realize over these past few years that I’ve been a part of several of those groups all my life.
It's funny how that works, but awesome when we finally recognize it
Yes😂
Congratulations on coming out 🥳❤
Thank you! It's been liberating. 😁
Amazing you are the best!
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I was also diagnosed quite late in life because I grew up in the 1970s when no one knew what autism was. By the time there was any awareness of it I had already graduated high school and people just wrote me off as lazy because I couldn't keep a job for more than 3 months. I was obviously bisexual from the very beginning (also before anyone accepted that was a real thing). My peeling off the layers has included tourettes and being transgender and learning all the implication of how all of these things have comorbid reactions.
Thank you so much for this wonderful video. It made a huge difference for me. Huge. Call it autistic naivte, but i am shocked people in this community would unsubscribe over this. It's part of being in this community. Anyway you are glowing in the video so I'm thinking your self discovery suits you! Thank you again.
It is difficult to unpack sexuality and gender presentation issues when you don't have a supportive environment. I am going through that process now, and have been for a few years now. My mother and I live together and share the bills, due to the fact that neither of us make enough money to live independently. I have an atypical gender presentation, and my mother is an obsessive For "news" viewer. She will be having surgery soon, and I had to accompany her to the hospital and speak with the surgeon. She told me I had to butch up and look like a man since I was going to be representing her. I found my most masculine looking clothing that I had, and she still made me change and we had a big fight over it. I gave her what she wanted, but I wore a t shirt with the trans pride flag on it. She doesn't know what the trans pride flag looks like, so it was my own little private rebellion. She thought she was preventing anyone from knowing it, and I was displaying it as overtly as possible.
Oof, that's hard but I'm so glad you were able to wear that shirt.
😁 Hihi, I like that picture I have now in my head You wearing that T-Shirt and she not knowing next to You thinking she won that fight.
But I hope You can live more like You want in future.
A consent hug 🤗 from a 48yo queer AuDHD mum of a cis-hetero-male ADHD man.
We have such similar neurotypes it's bonkers!! I was also the "perfect" little girl, always doing what she was told, before she was even asked, and also with a younger sibling that got most of the attention. 🤯🤯But like you mentioned, there would always be things that would come up that would lead to epic, total meltdowns and no one ever thought to wonder WHY.
❤🧡💛💚💙💜 as always, thank you for sharing!
There's so many I wish I had known earlier thoughts that go through my head. But of course the way things were it wouldn't have helped.
The bright colours are really suiting you Amanda. I think those earrings look fantastic on you 😻 Congratulations on the latest part of your self discovery journey and thank you for sharing this with us. I only learned the term Demi sexual in recent years, up until that point I thought that’s how it was for everyone, which explains why I had a few misunderstandings over the years. I still find it hard to get my head round how there are a lot of people who do not need emotional connection to have sex with someone. What I find even harder to get my head round is how some people would unsubscribe because you’ve said something about your sexual identity. I just don’t get homophobia/sexism/racism at all and can’t understand the mentality of people with those ideas.
Oh, and I’m also pansexual and non binary (but more asexual in general now I’m too old to bother thinking about it any more!
Thank you! It's been so awesome having this community to connect with too. I think some people are just scared of what they don't understand. I'm not sure.
My sexuality is very similar to yours. I can be attracted to anyone, and though I did have one "hookup" type relationship when I was younger, I generally do not form a sexual attraction to someone until I get to know them. I would say that I am more sexually attracted to men but I have never had a relationship with a man since I have never had a close enough relationship with a like minded man to form that attraction. I just don't have any interest in promiscuity, regardless of the gender of my partner. It just doesn't do anything for me. I guess sexuality is something I am still unpacking. I am more broadly and aesthetically attracted to women, but more sexually attracted to men. My atypical gender presentation applies to all aspects of life, so finding a balance with a partner of any gender who can accept the fact my role within a relationship does not match my physical appearance is quite complicated and difficult to find.
You sound very much like a "attractive personality" too me (although I think You are much too young/about 25 ? for me personally to be attracted in a romantic way, but that's not the point).
I am sure there will be a person that finds it very attractive and then falls in love with You and - my fingers are crossed - You feel the same then😊.
💚
So I don’t think I’m adhd but I get super distracted and lost in thought in the shower lol. More times than I can count I’ve started to get out of the shower and then realized I forgot to do something. Often something super obvious like rinsing my hair.
And the number of times I've only shaved one leg.... 😂😂
@@i.am.mindblindöhm...well, sounds familiar to me as well😂
😂
After watching this amazing video, I am more convinced that ever, that your biographical memory block and aphantasia are an expression of a powerful mask. It would be very destructive of your mask if you could vividly remember your thoughts and have an inner monologue about them. With your continuing exploration of your inner self, I would not at all be surprised if you experience breakthroughs with respect to both biographical memory and inner voice. The adventure continues.
I don't create new Autobiographical memories. I don't have Autobiographical Memory of my trip to Hawaii this last December. I know we went. I can list a handful of things we did. I don't remember the experience or the details. 🤷🏼♀️
@@i.am.mindblind My point is that recalling autobiographical memories might include remembering thoughts that your mask was built to block. Much simpler to block all autobiographical memory than it is to sort all the memories of every thought and experience, in order to block only the memories that might interfere with the mask. As a possibly related aside, have you heard of the rock opera, "Tommy"? It is all about masking.
Hey, I get the feeling you just don't believe I have Aphantasia and SDAM. I get you're curious and I do like answering questions, but it's starting to get frustrating. I've stated many times that SDAM is the best fit for the way my memory works for the moment. I have the same experience with my memory as everyone else I talk to who also has SDAM. If something comes along and fits better or explains my memory loss better then I'll go with that. I'm not tied to one label. Also it's very obvious that memory is much more complex than a lot of people realize. Some of my memory has to do with having ADHD that affects short-term memory. Maybe unmasking does cover some more semantic memory for me. It has not yet uncovered any episodic memories. I don't mind your curiosity, but I do mind the fact that it seems like you're trying to cure me of something I am not interested in being cured of. I think if all my memories came rushing back to me it would be detrimental to my mental health. My brain has no coping mechanism to have episodic memories. Many blind people have talked about this too they've so adapted to being blind, their brains would not be adapted to seeing again. I saw a video where a blind person was able to have surgery that restored vision, and it was so incredibly overwhelming that they regretted the surgery.
I don't understand why You can't (?), don't want to (?) accept a clear "Thanks, but no thanks" for the first, second, third...time.
Why not accept and embrace aphantasia same as ASD, ADHD or beeing queer?
I don't have to speak for Amanda, I just get angry myself as this triggers my sense for (in-)justice as a (queer cis-female non-aphantasia) AuDHDer.
Woooooooo congratulations!! Figuring out your sexual and gender orientation is already confusing enough, but when you layer autism and asexuality on top, it's hard not to be like "it's all a construct and even though all of it matters, none of it matters!!!" lol! I guess I'm comfortable resting in the space of "I'm queer," because I have a non-normative experience of sex and gender, but I'm also tempted to be one of those 'annoying' people who's like "no labels, maybe?" Like sure, bi-spectrum, ace-spectrum, gender's kinda meh because I just want to be seen as a person more than a gender, but I don't feel like a label other than "non normative," feels important to me at this point. It's all so nebulous! But yeah, I can definitely relate to all this. I remember watching the Matrix for the first time in high school and being like "WOAH Keanu Reeves 😍" and then "WOAH Trinity 😍" and just wishing I could sandwhich non-sexually but still romantically-sorta between the two of them (this feeling still remains every time I watch the trilogy to this day lol), and my poor little high-masking highschool self being like "but I guess I'm still straight."🤣
😂But I guess I'm straight. Yep. Oh the mask. The frustrating autistic mask...
@@i.am.mindblind It's also that wanting to be a 'good girl' thing, like you said. I think I'm going to unpack being a good girl until the day I die.
I finally came out this year at age 64. I had realized that I was what they call non-binary. And as an NB of course I'm bi. Never knew it was considered "wrong" so when the first girl I tried to fool around was totally disgusted I did realize it was something to hide. I now know that if you're NB or trans you are 6x more likely to be autistic or have ADHD or both. Well, that's me. Autistic and have ADHD.
Happy Pride! If you're anything like me, it's been very exciting understanding more about yourself. 💛🤍💜🖤
It's been eye-opening to acknowledge my Q factor. My A factor has been with me for 26 years and I enjoy it.
If a gay man is a celebate priest he still knows he is attracted to men and therefore gay. If a bi/pansexual woman is in a relationship with a man she still knows that she is attracted to other sexes. I have been in a monogamous relationship with my boyfriend for 13 years. I still consider myself bi/pansexual. Because of who I am attracted to.
You might also check the definition for apressexual. It's a subtype of demisexuality that kinda describes me.
Oh, never heard of that one, and beeing curious to find out what it exactly means. Thanks for giving me a new one😉
@katzenbekloppt2412 glad you liked it. 👊 I usually give an explanation of the term when I share one, but I was feeling weird about this one because I feel like it doesn't fully fit me, but if I just said the definition I was gonna wind up writing a confusing novella about the nuance of how it relates to me 🤣
Welcome to the (queer) party, Amanda ❤ 🏳️🌈!!!
Well, I (48 cis-female) fell in love with a girl as late teenager first time and was a bit confused, as I had had sex with boys or young men before and liked it. But it never felt wrong for me and I guess that is because I am (late diagnosed) AuDHD. The concept of heterosexual beeing "good" and everything else "bad" totally made no sense for me.
As (some) lesbians telling me I just have to come out lesbian...🙄 Or the "straight" girls that kissed me or had sex with me secretly and then went back to their unhappy heterosexual world. It felt between the chairs a lot. I always said I am attracted to persons, not to genitals, and I very much liked the then new term "pansexual" (but don't dislike bisexual and both feels right for myself. Pansexual includes better also beeing attracted to inter and trans persons after beeing attracted to them as a person, so maybe I do prefer this but am also okay beeing called bi). And I just thought listening to Your video "maybe pansexual can also include the term demisexual for You, as it means to be attracted to a persons soul first and not their body". Maybe thats an idea You like😊?
I don't know if demisexual in general is a label for me NOW, but I feel more that way getting older and (better ?) listen, care for my needs. Maybe that is also connected with finding out I am also autistic (after being diagnosed AD(H)D arround 30yo)? Unmasking?
I am not sure about this now, but I could overthink this for a while😅. When I was young I liked sex a lot, maybe used it as a stim (?), had a lot of one-night-stands, short affairs. The older I get the more I am longtime single and/or have just monogam and longer relationships. Sex is not so important for me as it was when I was much younger. But I don't think one is better then the other, I just follow my needs.
I am single now after beeing married with a much younger (15years) man and very okay with this at the moment as I very much need to be alone and don't need "someone", but I would welcome "the one" if I will fall in love again (and the other person too of cause😅). At the moment I imagine that person more to be a woman*, I mostly feel more emotionally connected to them; but who knows? The persons had been much older and younger, taller and shorter, thinner or bigger and I really don't care about. There is a picture/type of what I find very attractive, but falling in love with the soul of somebody makes them very attraktive to me at all.
And of cause one is bisexual even if they never ever have sex with a person of different gender if one feels that way.
Like one is not asexual just not have had sex in their life, but would like to in general.
Or is not asexual if living in a relationship and sometimes having (consensual) sex with their partner out of love, but wouldn't have on their own.
This is the same like beein nonbinary or trans, it is not defined by genitals or chromosomes how one identifies theirselves.
I hope I was able to express my thoughts understandable for everyone beeing not-native-englishspeaker.
Happy queer pride month to everyone, also allies❣
That’s interesting that being demi made it easier to not realize you are bi, and the comments about objectification of women confusing things further is insightful.
I’d been wondering if I might be bi but get confused for all the same reasons. Yet, it is undeniable that I’ve been strong attracted to women before. Like it probably isn’t just “acknowledging beauty” if while standing near a particular woman that I adored, I wanted to hold them around the waist and kiss them on the cheek, lol. But somehow I didn’t figure that out until two years ago… or let myself even consider that desire is a sapphic one. Since I am also attracted to men, I could convince myself I was straight.
It’s not something that would be acceptable in my family at all, let alone the discrimination in wider society. There is a very vivid memory from when I was about seven where I was watching a movie with my very Christian family and two men kissed in a scene. My family went ape shit over it, and I remember feeling frightened by their extreme disgust and ashamed because I didn’t understand what was wrong. Trying to be Christian up until I was about 15, I rejected queer identities as well because I was told they were wrong and also told that if I didn’t “internally” know they were wrong then that was also wrong and I’d be shamed for even asking why it was wrong. 🙁
When I let go of that ideology, I was more free to accept everyone for who they are, but I still feel really afraid of what would happen to me if I ever revealed my attraction to women or acted on it. Like really afraid. Like being disowned and rejected by long time loved ones, thought of as disgusting, causing my mom anguish because it goes against her beliefs, etc.
It’s so brave to come out. I’m glad it has been changing more and more in recent years and I hope younger folks today will never have to feel like something intrinsic about who they are is wrong.
So I admire you for putting out this video. Your excitement and joy discovering these new things about yourself is so soothing and infectious. Thank you! ❤
Thank you for this comment. Yes, I'm so thankful it's getting easier to come out, but we still have so far to go. I did have one family member disown me when my son came out trans. But I'd rather not have that person in my life if he can't accept us how we are. I know that isn't always the case for everyone. He was a close relative and I miss who I used to think he was. But I didn't rely on him for support in any way and that can effect some people's decisions to come out. I feel like I'm rambling, but just know I see you and I'm glad you can even acknowledge some of these things to yourself. ❤️ It makes a difference
I'm sorry that you are loosing subscribers. I can appreciate and understand the correlation between Autism and the community. Obviously, every autistic person is not gay and not every gay is autistic. Much like not every autistic person is an atheist. Me personally, Not only do i believe in God, but I'm not gay and I'm autistic plus adhd. What people FEEL and DO in their lives: is none of my business. I'm just happy that you are happy. I also have my set of challenges of being judged and hated, just because i believe in Jesus Christ. So i dont think any one group is safe. 😅
I'm glad that you are learning about yourself and knowing what makes you tick essentially. Just like i did. (Following Jesus Christ). With strength and perseverance, you'll get to know more of who, and what, you truely are. When i see the flag it remind me of Hope. Gilbert Baker is the man who came up with the idea of a rainbow flag for the LGBTQ community back in the 70s. In his memoir, Rainbow Warrior, his inspiration for the flag is not much known. I really wish it was known. "A rainbow flag was a conscious choice, natural and necessary. The rainbow came from earliest recorded history as a symbol of hope. In the Book of Genesis (Bible) it appeared as proof of a covenant between God and all living creatures." We can never lose Hope.
Romans 13:8 "Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law". John 13:34-35 "As i have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." 🙏🌎🕊️
Queer, AuDHD and believing in god (although we have a hard time and a bit disturbed relationship at the moment). Am member of lutheran german church, but also go to catholic services or visit other religion temples for interest in interreligious dialogue. Liked the local Sikh-temple for example, it is very equal between genders there and they serve a vegan/vegetarian meal for everybody at each service. Nice athmosphere!
For me there never had been a conflict with each of it (sexuality/gender/neurotype/beliefs), but for many queer or religious people it has been.
I don't care.
I am very much okay with atheists or people believing in whatever religion and the god I believe in has a lot more real problems then for example sexuality.
I mean, I believe we got the ability to love, a yoyful sexuality or beeing happily aro/asexual from her*him*they, so why should it bother they*him*her (or any human)?
Yeah, I just have a relationship with God and I go to a church where the holy spirit is with us as we pray. Pretty simple for me. @@katzenbekloppt_mf
I’m so proud of you, Amanda! I’m demisexual too! 😁
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
Thank you! Yay demi!
Happy Pride month Amanda 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈
Thank you. ❤️❤️❤️
18:22 OH! Not just me who feels Queazy with lies! Wow.
Discussing sex still gives me a queasy feeling, unless I'm making puns. I'm asexual.
I am bi/pan and demisexual. Maybe non-binary.
I knew that I was bi/pan before I knew I was autistic though.
That's cool, I know that's common for a lot of people. Happy Pride!
@@i.am.mindblind Same to you!
Unsubscribed.
Becareful who you hate, it might be someone you love. I'm glad our paths crossed for a brief moment in time. Peace be with you and I hope you find more kindness in your life than you are currently able to extend towards me.
@@i.am.mindblind It's surprising to me, given the strong empathic and inclusive ethos of your content, that it took you coming out for some people to be like "now wait a dang minute- you're FOR the gays???" I have a lot of respect for the grace in which you're handling it!