Autigender, also known as autisgender or autismgender, is a neurogender which can only be understood in the context of being autistic or when one's autism greatly affects one's gender or how one experiences gender.[1] Autigender is not autism as a gender, but rather describes an experience of gender that is so heavily influenced by having autism that one's autism and one's experience of gender cannot be unlinked.
Autigender can be a stand alone gender or it can be used in combination with another gender (e.g. autigirl, autiboy, autienby, autixenby, etc) to show that one's experience of that gender is heavily influenced by being autistic.
How gender can be influenced by being Autisic:
- Gender is social construct created by allistics/neurotypical which Autistic individuals can dislike/not understand.
- Autistic individuals are more likely to be transgender
- Autistic individuals are often infantilised so are expect to taken on different social roles
- Autisic individuals often priotise their feelings over what's just than what's just
- Autistic individuals can face unqiue challenges when coming out/transitioning
One's gender can be influenced by one's autism in many ways. Since gender is a social construct created by allistics/neurotypicals, and social constructs are one thing that autistic individuals generally struggle with, there are many individuals who may feel like being autistic influences their experience, perception, or understanding of gender. There are many studies that show that autistic individuals are more likely to be transgender.[2] Autistic individuals may also face unique challenges in coming out and transitioning. Autigender is a way to express this and to find others with similar gender experiences.
Not all autistic individuals identify as autigender, only those whose gender is influenced by them being autistic. Autigender is an exclusive gender as, obviously, non-autistic individuals cannot have a gender influenced by autism.
History
Autigender was coined on or before Aug 25th, 2014 by Tumblr users Autismgender and Esperancegirl via MOGAI-Archive.[3]
Flag
The original autigender flag was designed by Tumblr user Pride-Flags-for-Us as late as July 15, 2016. Green represents neurodivergence. The symbol represents the autism spectrum.
The alternative flag was designed by an anonymous wiki user on November 15, 2020. The colors represent a spectrum, both for gender and for autism. The red, specifically, represents the #RedInstead movement, supporting autistic individuals, not Autism Speaks. The symbol represents the autism spectrum.
Gallery
-
Autiboy flag, designed by matthewgrant836
-
Autigirl flag, designed by matthewgrant836
-
Autienby flag, designed by matthewgrant836
-
Autixenby flag, designed by matthewgrant836
-
An alternate autiboy flag by Tumblr user wikipunk
-
An alternate autigirl flag by Tumblr user wikipunk
-
An alternate autienby flag by Tumblr user wikipunk
-
An alternate autixenby flag by Tumblr user wikipunk