Do Autism And Homosexuality/Bisexuality Have Any Correlation?

Question

I've heard many claims about autism and Asperger's syndrome like people with ASD not liking to be touched too much or be too intimate, the diagnose being caused by the environment instead of being inborn in some cases etc., but now I've heard another claim or theory saying that there may be a correlation between autism/Asperger's syndrome and homosexuality (and bisexuality).

The theory doesn't say all gays and bisexuals are autistic and the other way around, but it says it may be more common. Autistic people tends to be high sensitive on smell and other things. They also tends to have strong preferences in general speaking. Since smell is important when it comes to reproduction, people would more easily notice if the opposite sex's smell is unattractive than the same sex to be able to find out which mate have the most matching genes with you. Since some autistic people are sensitive and would easily notice all the flaws in many of the people of the opposite sex's smell, then it would be logically they would be more drawn to the same sex more frequently than the opposite one. Autistic people also tends to be detail orientated and notice flaws in the physical appearance easily (if it's their interest), since it's the opposite sex you mates with, it would make sense them being extra picky there too. #Autism #Gay #Lgbt

So my question is: is there a correlation?

rjroy3 · Accepted Answer

lol I know enough non autistic gay people to be convinced they're not correlated. First gay person I ever knew/was friends with was a kid named Joel in highschool. He was one of the most chill/social people I knew in the 4 years at that school. I remember feeling bad for him, because his mom outright told him he was going to hell for being gay. I think he was Catholic or Christian. Forget. But yea, he was a pretty straight edge guy. No weird idiosyncrasies or odd in his demeanor.

The only type of connection I could see is more a mistaken view of maybe being autistic. There's a stereotype of the loud and proud over the top flamboyant gay guy. I can only imagine that some gay people, maybe more so ones who had been in the closet for a very long time. When they finally embrace it they somewhat take on that stereotype as who they are because they can't just accept they are still the same person and happen to be gay. They have to fall into an archetype to really BE in that space emotionally and eventually calm down a bit in their sexuality. So I could see the over the top gay guy being viewed as have autistic characteristics, because they always seem to have something to say and so on.

Phanta · Accepted Answer

I think there is. Since men with Asperger's or autism usually cannot find a woman, they would be more likely to delve into homosexuality as a substitute. I've authored an entire dissertation on homosexuality. It is chapter XXX (30) on my website:

mistixs · Accepted Answer

I have aspergers and I'm bi (sexually/romantically attracted to both men and women) but have a crippling fear of intimacy to the extent that I haven't even kissed anyone at age 22, so both the "not liking to be touched too much or be too intimate" and "bisexuality" theories are accurate for me

SarahsSummer · Accepted Answer

No more correlation to that than saying getting a flu shot creates autism.

Temporal · Accepted Answer

I don't know, but I'm an Aspie and bi/pan or whatever if that helps

I_smell_Ducky · Answer

Not to my knowledge, but even if there is a correlation there would still need to be proof that they were related. correlation =\= causation

Prankster13 · Answer

I don't think so. They may be more picky about their partner as a female, but I don't think that means they have to pick men. That's a whole different thing.

Yaaten · Answer

There is no correlation, none whatsoever. This is just another one of those myths about autism, like the myth that those who have the condition lack empathy. There is a lot of misinformation out there.