Being neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ can sometimes feel like living at the intersection of two different universes—and not always the glittery kind. You might need support that understands both your sensory sensitivities and your chosen name. Your executive function struggles and your pronouns. Your social anxiety and your gay panic.
Luckily, you’re not alone. More and more communities, therapists, and online spaces are showing up with understanding, intersectionality, and actual tools to help.
Here’s how to find your people—and build a support system that gets you.
1. LGBTQ+-Specific Neurodivergent Support Groups (Where to Start)
Finding others who share both parts of your identity is game-changing. Here are a few places that actually get it:
- 🌈 The Neurodivergent Rainbow (Facebook Group)
A welcoming space for LGBTQ+ folks who are autistic, ADHD, or otherwise neurodivergent to share memes, experiences, and resources.
- 🧠 ADHD Babes (UK-based, virtual-friendly)
A Black-led group for women and non-binary people of color with ADHD. Not exclusively queer but very affirming.
- 🌐 Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN)
A support hub offering online community and advocacy, especially for gender-diverse and queer individuals on the spectrum.
Website: awnnetwork.org
- 💬 Reddit Threads:
Try r/LGBTNeurodivergent or r/QueerAutism for relatable threads and crowd-sourced wisdom.
- 🤝 Meetup.com
Search for local groups like “Neurodivergent LGBTQ+ social” or “Autistic Queer Support.” Some host low-sensory events, game nights, and discussion circles.
2. Therapists Who Get Both Sides of You
A good therapist doesn’t just “tolerate” your identities—they affirm them.
🔎 Where to look:
- TherapyDen.com – lets you filter by LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent-friendly providers.
- InclusiveTherapists.com – focused on culturally affirming care, including neurodiversity-affirming and queer-inclusive therapists.
- Psychology Today – useful if you use filters carefully (but double-check their experience once you’ve narrowed your search).
✅ Bonus tip: Ask during consultations about their experience with masking, sensory overload, executive dysfunction, or identity exploration within neurodivergent queer clients.
3. Peer Support and Mentorship
Sometimes the best support doesn’t come from a professional—it comes from someone who’s been there.
- 🌈 Neurodivergent LGBTQ+ Discord Servers
Many pop up through Reddit or Tumblr links, often offering quiet text-based check-ins, meme-sharing, or virtual hangouts.
- 🗣 Queer-friendly peer support orgs like:
- PeerPride (peerpride.org) – offers peer-led support from LGBTQ+ individuals with lived experience in mental health and neurodiversity.
- Trans Lifeline (translifeline.org) – not just for crises, but also for ongoing peer-to-peer connection and resources.
4. Self-Advocacy Tools (Yes, You Deserve Support)
Being able to ask for what you need—at school, work, or even social events—is powerful. Here are a few resources to help:
- 📘 "The Neurodivergent Friendly Workbook of DBT Skills" – a highly practical tool adapted for both neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ individuals.
- 📄 Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) – autisticadvocacy.org – provides templates, guides, and policy info to help you advocate in healthcare, education, and public life.
- 📓 The Queer + Neurodivergent Zine – created by community artists and activists, it’s a validating, visual read. (Search via Etsy or queer bookstores.)
5. Build a Circle That’s Yours
Support doesn’t have to be official. Sometimes it’s:
- A friend who understands your texting rhythm.
- A partner who builds downtime into your weekend plans.
- A queer chosen family that gives you space to stim, unmask, or just be quiet.
The most affirming support system is one that sees your whole self—and celebrates it.
Final Thought
If you've ever felt like there wasn’t a place for you—too queer for the ND groups, too ND for the queer ones—know this: your intersection matters. Your story matters. And more and more, spaces are being created for you.
Until then, we’ll keep building them together.
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