Why is being open so important?

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One thing I don't really understand is that why those who are autistic need to openly advocate such identity politics. If I were a gay person, I wouldn't need to be intergrated based on that trait.

I sometimes feel embarrassed to be part of a community that sees themselves as victims of society. I imagine there are also a lot of LGBT people that feel that way.

Speaking as someone who is gay, I'm open about it because it frustrates me that people assume everyone around them is straight - heteronormativity.

And as someone who is autistic, I'm open about it because:

a) people are so unaware of how autism presents in women. There are lots of women out there struggling and they perhaps don't know why. My being open about it has already helped a couple of people. That makes me happy.

b) sometimes I need to explain to people why I am the way I am. When I take things literally and it gets me into bother, for example.

And finally, for both being autistic and gay...I don't see why I should have to hide these important aspects of myself.

What do you mean specifically "openly advocating"?

Really? These days I assume everybody to be gay.

That makes no sense. Please explain?

Being autistic fundamentally affects a person's day to day life, even mundane things that wouldn't affect other minorities.

I don't know what 'openly advocate such identity politics' means. Can anyone explain?

What I said was, why is it so important to be openly autistic, or at least, using that specific term.

IMO, openess is just a code word for self acceptance. Its not that you want to rub who you are in anybodys face but you are really saying " I was born this way and whether or not you accept me is irreverent as to how I view myself".

Using that specific term? Because that's what it's called.

Being openly autistic? I guess everyone will have their own reasons. And a lot here on the forum don't want that for themselves, and say that they never tell anyone.

Personally, I'm open about my autism for a few reasons. Primarily, because I am a very self-confident person and I value honesty and openness for what they are, so I have no reason to hide the fact that I'm autistic. I would not want to go through my life hiding away any aspect of myself.

Additionally, because it helps people that meet me to know why my behaviours might be a little 'off'. Also, because I hope that in my own little way I may change someone's perception of autism - if they see me and know that I'm autistic, perhaps they won't assume that 'autistic' means incapable or (as I believed years ago, to my shame) lazy and badly disciplined. And, because (albeit appreciating that no two autistic people are the same and that my success is not everyone's line in the sand), perhaps if I meet a struggling autistic person or a parent of an autistic child, they'll get the impression from me that there is hope - a chance to find love and happiness.

But, undoubtedly, there will be almost infinite reasons.

I think it's a shame if someone feels that they need to hide the fact they're autistic, though I completely understand why they would feel like that.

Being straight seems to be a minority thing these days. Sometimes I feel like it's just me on my own.

Everyone at my school is bisexual or something. Apparently some girl became straight again, but she was never bisexual in the first place? I'm just assuming she was bicurious. I assume everyone feels the need to be something special nowadays, so I never say anything. As for autism, I don't think it's important. You have your own strengths and weaknesses, why should others know about them? Do what you can to the best of your ability.