#NationalComingOutDay I was sixteen when I first concluded that I was bi (thanks, Winona Ryder). I was open about this with my best friend, and my boyfriend at the time, but I was too embarrassed to discuss it with my family or wider social circle. However, the truth did come out during a sixth formContinue reading “Coming out story”
Category Archives: Inclusion
Being an ally to your neurodivergent colleagues
Understanding the terminology – ‘neurodivergent’ and ‘neurodiversity’ ‘Neurodivergent‘ means having a neurological difference resulting in different cognitive processing and thinking. Basically, having a mind that works differently from societal norms. Many neurological differences are due to one or more lifelong neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, Tourette’s. Neurodivergence can also be acquired,Continue reading “Being an ally to your neurodivergent colleagues”
How to be an ally to bi and pan people
By Charlie Hart (Ausome Charlie) Understand what labels mean One definition of “bisexual” or “bi” is “attracted to more than one gender”. My preferred definition is this: May experience heterosexual (different sex) or homosexual (same sex) attraction. “Pansexual” or “pan” means when we are attracted to individuals, their gender does not come into it. NeitherContinue reading “How to be an ally to bi and pan people”
Insight into Bisexuality by Charlie
Some of Charlie’s lived experience as a bisexual woman
Struggling through education and work oblivious to my autism
Growing up As far as my parents and I were aware, I was normal. Okay, so my development and behaviour may have been unusual at times, like in my eighteen-month development check when I built the Great Wall of China with building bricks instead of the anticipated tower, my solo role-playing games (spending whole weekendsContinue reading “Struggling through education and work oblivious to my autism”
Autism Awareness Month
Please don’t copy and paste random crap from social media for “Autism Awareness Month” this April with a bunch of platitudes, blue hearts and jigsaw pieces 💙💙💙 You do know #autistic people – it is not that rare. To increase your own awareness, try asking an autistic person to explain to you how their autism affects them.Continue reading “Autism Awareness Month”
Reflecting on one year of working from home in a pandemic
Pandemic reflection: If this year since the first Covid-19 lockdown (UK) has taught employers anything, it is the need to be agile and respond to changes in the external environment plus the changing needs of the workforce. Responding quickly to office closures required not just investment in enabling technology, but also rapid culture change, aContinue reading “Reflecting on one year of working from home in a pandemic”
What being an ally means to me
Being an ally means supporting people and promoting acceptance of normal human differences. Allies can help to create a culture where all individuals feel supported, included, and valued. Sometimes allies stand up to bullying and discrimination, helping people to feel safe to be their authentic selves. Nobody should be bullied or excluded due to normalContinue reading “What being an ally means to me”
Iggy’s Initiative Introduction
Nobody should have to feel weird, ashamed, rejected, excluded, isolated due to their sexual orientation or their gender expression, nor due to their disability or neurological differences, nor any other human characteristic, but sadly this happens all the time. Young people, especially teenagers, can be particularly affected by lack of acceptance and support. An alarmingContinue reading “Iggy’s Initiative Introduction”
The Double Rainbow
Intersectional Diversity: The ‘Double Rainbow’ of Autism and LGBTQIA+ Here are Charlie’s answers to questions they were recently asked about their lived experience of the ‘double rainbow’. Can you explain what the term ‘double rainbow’ means? Studies show that autistic people are far more likely identify as a sexuality minority and/or a gender minority, comparedContinue reading “The Double Rainbow”
Ausome Charlie 