Resources for autistic women
On the second Tuesday of every month from 5:30pm-6:30pm, we run our Women-Aligned Group on Zoom. It is for autistic women and femme-aligned non-binary adults (aged 18 and over) living in the Leeds area. Find out more about how to join on our Online Groups page.
The National Autistic Society have an article about gender and autism. You can read it here: http://www.autism.org.uk/about/what-is/gender
The Curly Hair Project has a series of books about what it’s like to be an autistic woman. Visit the Curly Hair Project website to find out more: https://thegirlwiththecurlyhair.co.uk/
The Autism Women’s Network is an organisation run by autistic women. They are based in the US and have a blog full of posts by autistic women. Here is a link to their website: https://autismwomensnetwork.org/
The Autistic Women’s Empowerment (AWE) project is based in the UK. They have resources relevant to autistic women. Here’s a link to their website: https://autisticwomensempowerment.com/
Recommended reading:
Resources for LGBTQI+ autistic people
Services in Leeds:
The Out Spoken project is run by CHANGE, part of The Advonet Group, and Yorkshire MESMAC. It is for LGBTQI+ adults who are autistic and/or have a learning disability and runs peer support groups, as well as providing training and self-advocacy resources. Find out more at this link: https://www.changepeople.org/our-work/outspoken
People in Action run a weekly group for LGBTQIA* people who are autistic and/or have a learning disability on Tuesday evenings from 6:30pm to 9pm. It is called Out in Leeds. Visit https://peopleinaction.org.uk/groupsactivities/out-in-leeds/ for further information.
The Leeds Survivor-Led Crisis Service and Yorkshire MESMAC run two monthly support groups – one for LGBT people and the other for transgender and non-binary people. More info is available here: https://www.lslcs.org.uk/services/group-work-2/lgbttrans-group/
Local LGBTQIA*-specific organisations:
- Yorkshire MESMAC are a sexual health charity with offices in Leeds. You can find out about what they do here: https://www.mesmac.co.uk/
- TransLeeds are a support group for transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming people. They run two groups a month and regular social events. Visit their website for more info: https://transleeds.org/
- Leeds Bi Group are a social support group for bisexual people in Leeds that meets twice a month. Visit their website for more info: http://www.leedsbigroup.org.uk/
- Non-Binary Leeds are a community group for people who identify as non-binary. They have monthly peer-led sessions in a venue in the city. More info: https://www.mesmac.co.uk/our-areas/leeds/support-social-groups/non-binary-leeds
- The Sage Project is a group for older LGBTQIA* people in Leeds. It is run jointly by Yorkshire MESMAC and AgeUK Leeds. You can read about it here: https://www.mesmac.co.uk/projects/sage
Local LGBTQI+-specific services:
- The Out Spoken project is run by CHANGE, part of The Advonet Group, and Yorkshire MESMAC. It is for LGBTQI+ adults who are autistic and/or have a learning disability and runs peer support groups, as well as providing training and self-advocacy resources. Find out more at this link: https://www.changepeople.org/our-work/outspoken
- Leeds Gender Identity Service – this is run by the Leeds and York Partnership Foundation Trust (LYPFT). It is for anyone aged 18 and over who is experiencing gender dysphoria. Visit https://www.leedsandyorkpft.nhs.uk/our-services/services-list/gender-identity-service/ for more information about what they can do for you
- Leeds Gender Outreach Workers – they host a range of drop-in sessions, support and social sessions for transgender and non-binary people in Leeds. Visit https://en-gb.facebook.com/LeedsGenderOutreachWorkers/ for more information
Autism and LGBTQIA* resources:
- Gender dysphoria and autism – an article on Network Autism by Wenn Lawson
- LGBTQ+ and Neurodivergent – Our Stories: A video by Leeds Autism AIM from 2020
- Neurodivergent Rebel – Autistic NeuroDivergent and LGBTQIA+ – Is there a Connection?
- I’m an autistic lesbian – a piece on BuzzFeed by Lauren Harsh
- What it’s like to be queer and autistic – a piece on Queerty by Benji Douglas
- Autistic Sexuality: Exploring the Social Context – a slideshow by Gill Loomes-Quinn
