‘Doing Sexualities?’: Neurodivergence, Queerness, and Sexual Scripting

• In Event: 50661 - Section on Sociology of Sexualities Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 1: Scripting Selves & Sexualities

Abstract

How do neurodivergent queer people navigate ‘doing sexualities’? Sexual script theory conceptualizes and describes sociological sexual behavior in three societal realms – cultural, interpersonal, and intrapsychic (Simon & Gagnon, 1986). While we recognize that there is also a subcultural realm (Plante, 2006), we argue that script theory assumes that everyone is neurotypical and experiences and interacts with the (sexual) world in the same way. Do neurodivergent queer people experience sex and sexualities in ways that differ from the heteronormative, neurotypical? How do neurodivergent, queer people make sense of the sexual cues, clues, and blueprint that script theory attempts to describe? We posed these questions in a layered set of co-created, collaborative research processes. Using a collaborative, co-created research process, designed with “respondents” at every step, we brainstormed, critiqued, and thought deeply. Our interviews, via convenience sampling of people 18 and older, describe the contours of ‘doing sexualities’ while neurodivergent and queer.

Authors

• Katelyn Kalin

• Nico Trautman, Ithaca College

• Rebecca F. Plante, Ithaca College