AMASE

Edinburgh's 6th Autistic Pride Picnic will be held again in The Meadows (in the usual place at the Prince Albert Victor Sundial) from around 2-5pm on the 2nd of August 🧺

This is an opportunity to celebrate autistic identity and the autistic community - and to spend some time with autistic people, chat, eat picnic food, and lie around in the grass (if the weather allows!).

All are welcome - it's an autistic space in the sense that autistic social norms apply, but not an autistic-only space. Like all AMASE events, it's LGBTQ-friendly, but when we talk about Autistic Pride we mean pride in being autistic, regardless of sexuality, gender, or anything else. The event is also family-friendly.

More details and how to get there can be seen on our website here: https://amase.org.uk/pride

Add event to Google Calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/event?action=TEMPLATE&tmeid=MHRlamk2azU2azJrdWk0dm8ydGpxdGtmM2MgMGM4YmRrYW5wb2c4OWJuNTFzMm5qZmYxb2tAZw&tmsrc=0c8bdkanpog89bn51s2njff1ok%40group.calendar.google.com

Tomorrow (the 21st of June) is Pride in our Community, in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh.

AMASE Chair @Ferrous@autistics.life will be one of the speakers, talking about the indivisibility of the struggles for queer, trans and neurodivergent liberation.

Our April newsletter is out 🌼

You can view it here: https://sendfox.com/amase/c/pjjp0d/amase-newsletter-april-2026

On the 3rd of February, AMASE will be welcoming Chloé Hayden to talk about her new book Different, Not Less, at an online event in collaboration with Lighthouse - Edinburgh's Radical Bookshop.

Chloé is an @actuallyautistic@a.gup.pe actor, writer, speaker and video-maker. Some of you will know her from her delightful turn as Quinni, in the reboot of #HeartbreakHigh - a role she helped to write, making it one of the most authentic portrayals of an #ActuallyAutistic character yet seen in mass media.

Zoe McIntyre from the AMASE committee will be interviewing her, with some questions submitted by AMASE members.

Free tickets are available, but you are encouraged to buy the book if you can afford it!
https://lighthousebookshop.com/events/different-not-less-chloe-hayden-neurodivergents-guide-to-embracing-your-true-self

A reminder that applications for the National Autistic Taskforce (NAT) Founder's Award close on 28th Feb!

The award will offer one-off financial grants to autistic people based in the UK to support them in pursuing work that would be in line with Dinah Murray’s previous work and wishes.

Activities that may attract funding may include (but are not limited to):

- Setting up a local group for autistic people in your area
- Overcoming a personal obstacle that is holding you back (e.g. learning to drive or decluttering)
- Completing a counselling course or academic study

NAT are keen to hear about projects or activities that will benefit not only the applicant but the wider autistic community in some way.

Applicants may apply for any amount between £100 to £1000.

https://nationalautistictaskforce.org.uk/nat-founders-award/

On Thursday 22nd January, we are hosting online Lightning Talks with ARGH Scotland 🌩️

This will be a space for autistic and other neurodivergent folk to infodump about any topic they are fascinated by, and share the joy - of course, everyone is also welcome to just attend and enjoy!

Talks should be up to about 7 minutes long, and you don't have to be a member of either AMASE or ARGH Scotland to speak.

Please sign up via this form: https://forms.gle/nVt4Gti9wVUjuqti6

Register for event reminders here: https://luma.com/zh49tltt

Only a couple of days to go until this Korean-Scottish #Autistic exchange.

@amase@neurodifferent.me

In two weeks, we welcome Jang Jiyong (장지용, aka Alvis) of Estas to Edinburgh, to talk about Korea and the status of Autistic people in the country.

We will also talk a bit about AMASE and autism in Scotland.

At the Old College and online, 1pm BST/9pm KST on Saturday 11th October.
https://luma.com/48s9n2w2

Happening TOMORROW! Come join us - the weather is looking promising ☀️

Repost of details ⬇️

Edinburgh's 6th Autistic Pride Picnic will be held again in The Meadows (in the usual place at the Prince Albert Victor Sundial) from around 2-5pm on the 2nd of August 🧺

This is an opportunity to celebrate autistic identity and the autistic community - and to spend some time with autistic people, chat, eat picnic food, and lie around in the grass (if the weather allows!).

All are welcome - it's an autistic space in the sense that autistic social norms apply, but not an autistic-only space. Like all AMASE events, it's LGBTQ-friendly, but when we talk about Autistic Pride we mean pride in being autistic, regardless of sexuality, gender, or anything else. The event is also family-friendly.

More details and how to get there can be seen on our website here: https://amase.org.uk/pride

Add event to Google Calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/event?action=TEMPLATE&tmeid=MHRlamk2azU2azJrdWk0dm8ydGpxdGtmM2MgMGM4YmRrYW5wb2c4OWJuNTFzMm5qZmYxb2tAZw&tmsrc=0c8bdkanpog89bn51s2njff1ok%40group.calendar.google.com

Original post: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:psl3vtmvduvmmy336lqcuhfy/post/3ls3yvbrsmc22

Original post: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:fp2ad76nqluyct2mfbm5r2w6/post/3ls6pxki4d227

Original post: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:idr2fe7zihgbskdno3ju76im/post/3lrqixu4fi22h

Original post: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:ucdwlqt6ls4zxc7rxnmdkze4/post/3log63lznk22b

AMASE will always stand in solidarity with trans people.

The attacks on #trans and #autistic people often come from the same sources, and often stem from the same old-fashioned prejudices.

Many autistic people are trans, and vice versa. The neurodiversity movement wouldn't be The Equality Act 2010 is still law.

Legally, it still protects trans (as well as disabled) people from direct and indirect discrimination. Beware of guidance that suggests otherwise, and anticipate legal challenges.

Do not accept discrimination, harassment or exclusion.