Gender and Sexual Self-Determination in the Lives of LGBTQ+ Adults With IDD

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have the right to gender and sexual self-determination, meaning they should have choice and control in how they express their gender and sexuality. In this inclusive research study, I interviewed 23 LGBTQ+ adults with IDD from the United States to examine their perspectives on barriers and facilitators to gender and sexual self-determination. The participants described how societal attitudes, validation, acceptance, access to information, personal agency, and connections with the LGBTQ+ community could present barriers or facilitators to their gender and sexual self-expression. These perspectives have implications for improving practices and policies to promote the right to gender and sexual self-determination.