An event “Exploring Intersectionality”, organised by the Amach! LGBT group in Galway in conjunction with the Galway Autism Partnership has attracted some criticism.
It posted a request yesterday reaching out to young gay people who are autistic/neurodivergent. The poster does not explain the purposes of the proposed discussions, and offers a €40 OneForAll voucher for those who take part.
While there is nothing intrinsically wrong with providing an outlet for young autistic gay people, the fact that it is appealing to persons aged between 10 and 24 has raised some eyebrows. Obviously in response to queries including from with the gay community itself, Amach! has claimed that the project will adhere to “child safety and Garda vetting” procedures.
Their defence of the age cohort is somewhat more tenuous given that they cite research conducted among “autistic adults.” The reported feelings of adults have little connection to the mind of a child. The accompanying claim that “sexual orientation and gender identity” – in particular the last one – “are things people discover about themselves from a young age” are by no means uncontested truths.
The reference to “intersectionality” and the link between gay people and people with autism is no more than an ideological meme based on a left wing dogma that minorities that have otherwise nothing in common form part of one homogenous oppressed group. One that can be mobilised for political purposes, which is the whole point of it.
People who responded in comments, questioned the age criteria. As one said: “Adults talking to 10 year old children about their sexuality? This sounds strange.” Another described it as a “massive red flag.”
Amach! is listed as a charity and employed one person in 2019. Presumably therefore it receives money from the state in order to finance its activities. The Galway Autism Partnership is a larger entity which very properly receives funding to support people with autism and their families. Whether such ideologically driven initiatives are properly part of that is obviously for themselves and the autism community in Galway to address.