Policy Power Lunch, Rethinking Research: Addressing the Importance of LGBTQ + Autism Research and Policy.

Join the policy Impact Project for our Policy Power Lunch Series Rethinking Research: Addressing the Importance of LGBTQ + Autism Research and Policy.  

We aim to spotlight critical issues affecting LGBTQ people within the Actually Autistic community. We hope to empower researchers, stakeholders, policy experts, and advocates who actively engage with the LGBTQ+ and Actually Autistic communities. We seek to catalyze a proactive and inclusive dialogue that drives real world policy and research changes.  

• Identifying needs/issues for LGBTQIA+ autistic individuals and their families. 
• Addressing unique challenges for LGBTQIA+ autistic people. 
• Analyzing how politics, policies, and current events impact LGBTQIA+ autistic people. 
• Assessing available resources for LGBTQIA+ autistic people and their families. 
• Discussing  necessary services and support for the LGBTQIA+ autistic community. 

Register here

Speakers

Lydia X. Z. Brown (They/Them)

Lydia X. Z. Brown is a disability justice advocate, organizer, and attorney, focusing on issues such as violence against marginalized disabled individuals. Currently, they are co-leading a project on disability rights and algorithmic fairness at Georgetown University Law Center. Lydia has been honored by various organizations and has contributed significantly to community and scholarly publications, as well as news outlets.

Laura Graham Holmes, Ph.D (She/Her)

Laura Graham Holmes is assistant professor of social work at Hunter College in New York City. She has led community-engaged research on sexual and reproductive health services among autistic youth and adults. Her work has centered autistic youth with an emphasis on addressing intersections of autism with injustices and inequities rooted in racism, class-based oppression, misogyny, and homophobia.

Oluwatobi Odugunwa (They/Them)

Oluwatobi (they/them) is an autistic and chronically ill advocate for disability and racial justice and LGBTQ rights. Their academic expertise is in intersectionality and health justice as well as gender and sexuality. Oluwatobi is the Program Coordinator at the Autistic People of Color Fund and is involved with local social justice organizations. They currently work as DEI consultant at a publishing company.