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ERIC Number: EJ1297329
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Jul
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0162-3257
EISSN: N/A
"Straight Sex Is Complicated Enough!": The Lived Experiences of Autistics Who Are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Asexual, or Other Sexual Orientations
Lewis, Laura Foran; Ward, Caroline; Jarvis, Noah; Cawley, Eleni
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, v51 n7 p2324-2337 Jul 2021
Autistics are more likely than neurotypicals to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, and other sexual orientations. Autistics and sexual minorities represent populations at high risk for depression, anxiety, and suicidality. Little is known about the experiences of individuals living at this intersection. In this phenomenology, 67 individuals who identified as autistic sexual minorities participated in online interviews to describe the meaning of their experiences. Six themes emerged, including: self-acceptance is a journey; autistic traits complicate self-identification of sexual orientation; social and sensory stressors affect sexual expression; feeling misunderstood and isolated; challenges finding mutually satisfying relationships; and difficulty recognizing and communicating sexual needs. Autistic sexual minorities experience a "double minority" status that complicates identity formation and increases vulnerability in sexual relationships.
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2123/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A