Autistic Pride Day is a pride celebration for autistic people held annually on 18 June. Autistic pride recognises the importance of pride for autistic people and its role in bringing about positive changes in the broader society.

Concept Organisations around the world celebrate Autistic Pride Day with events to connect with one another, and demonstrate to allistic (non-autistic) people that autistic people are not in need of a cure.

Autistic pride points out that autistic people have always been an important part of human society. Being autistic is a form of neurodiversity. As with all forms of neurodiversity, most of the challenges autistic people face come from other people's attitudes about autism and a lack of supports and accommodations (ableism), rather than being essential to the autistic condition. For instance, according to Larry Arnold and Gwen Nelson, many autism-related organizations promote feelings of pity for parents, rather than fostering understanding. Autistic activists have contributed to a shift in attitudes away from the notion that autism is a deviation from the norm that must be treated or cured. Autistic self-advocacy organizations, which are led and run by autistic people, are a key force in the movement for autistic acceptance and autistic pride.

Joseph Redford, an organiser for Autistic Pride at London's Hyde Park, stated in a speech that the concept of autistic pride is not about a single day or event:

Origin

Autistic Pride Day was first celebrated in 2005, by Aspies For Freedom (AFF), who selected 18 June because it was the birthday of the youngest member of the group at that time.Redford, Joseph, "London Autistic Pride 2019 ", text of speech given at London Autistic Pride in July 2019. AFF modelled the celebration on the gay pride movement. According to Kabie Brook, the co-founder of Autism Rights Group Highland, "the most important thing to note about the day is that it is an autistic community event: it originated from and is still led by autistic people ourselves", i.e. it is not a day for other charities or organisations to promote themselves or stifle autistic people. The rainbow infinity symbol is used as the symbol of this day, representing "diversity with infinite variations and infinite possibilities". New Scientist magazine released an article entitled "Autistic and proud" on the first Autistic Pride Day that discussed the idea.

Development

As autistic pride has continued to develop, autistic advocates have become increasingly professionalised, with Autistic Pride Reading incorporating as a charity in 2018, and holding a pride event which attracted over 700 people.Reading Chronicle, "MBE recipient will give talk at autism event ", 1 June 2018. Accessed 17 January 2021.Autistic Pride Reading, "1st Annual Newsletter December 2018 ", 4 December 2018. Accessed 17 January 2021.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, with physical events impossible, autistic advocates collaborated under the Autistic Pride Alliance to create an Autistic Pride Online Celebration which hosted speakers from four continents. Autistic Pride Day 2020 was an eleven-hour marathon that was hosted on YouTube and the event was repeated in 2021.

In Australia, an official Autistic Pride Day organization was created in 2023 in partnership with the City of Sydney. The organization released an official logo for the event, featuring three concentric infinity symbols, which are coloured with a gradient of red and green, intentionally avoiding the blue that was long associated with Autism Speaks.

Events There have been a number of Autistic Pride Day events hosted over the years to promote the self-affirmation, identity, dignity and equality of autistic people around the world. Most events happen during the summer months between June and August.

+List of Autistic Pride eventsYearHosted by2024Autistic Pride Day Symposium – MelbourneAutistic Pride Day (Australia)Autistic Pride Day – New York City (Cadman Plaza) – 15 June 2024Autistic Adults NYCPic-nique des Fiertés Autistes (Paris) – 23 June 2024Réseau CLE Autistes2023Autistic Pride LondonJoseph Redford & Autistic EmpireBath Spa Autistic PrideAutWellPic-Nique des Fiertés Autistes (Paris)Réseau CLE AutistesAutistic Pride at Pride (Kingston upon Hull)Autistic Pride Day MelbourneAutistic Pride Day (Australia)2022Autistic Pride LondonJoseph Redford & Autistic Empire2021Autistic Pride Alliance OnlineAutistic Pride Alliance2020Autistic Pride Online Celebration2019Autistic Pride Picnic at London Charlton House (AIM)Autistic Inclusive Meets (AIM)Autistic Pride EastbourneEastbourne Asperger's Support GroupFifth Annual Autistic Pride Picnic at London Hyde ParkJoseph RedfordAutistic Pride ReadingAutistic Pride Reading CharityAutistic Pride BrightonAdrie van der Meer

See also Autistic rights movement Autistic Self Advocacy Network – seeks to advance the principles of the disability rights movement in the world of autism Autism Sunday Outline of autism

References

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