• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

TwainbowTwainbow

People Living Under a Double-Rainbow

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Resources
  • Stats & Info
  • Projects
  • Shop
  • Old News
    • News

News

Twainbow Juneteenth Statement

June 19, 2021 By Twainbow Admin Leave a Comment

Juneteenth

Let us all take a moment to remember the atrocities against POC on #Juneteenth, and the disparity for Autistic POC as well on this Holiday in the USA. There is far more that must be done in this world.

Also a reminder, Twainbow is always seeking to diversify our board and have more perspective from those that have different lived experiences.

We warmly welcome all individuals from underrepresented communities that are Autistic to apply to be on our board of directors and help us grow.

To apply, please submit your resume with a portrait of yourself and your activism work to: [email protected].

-Twainbow
#Juneteenth #ActuallyAutistic #Twainbow

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Skype
  • Print

Filed Under: News

Autistic Pride Day | Breaking down all Barriers – Emerging from my Double Rainbow

June 18, 2021 By Twainbow Admin Leave a Comment

Corey Coloma, Twainbow Director
Corey Coloma, Twainbow Director

Autistic Pride Day was first celebrated in 2005 by Aspies For Freedom (AFF), with June 18th picked because it was the birthday of the youngest member of the group at that time.

 

Their intent was that it was for those that were both LGBT and Autistic to celebrate on this day. June is also LGBT Pride Month. I have a lot of pride in who I am as an actually autistic omnigender male-bodied individual. It was not always this way though.

Growing up I always knew I was attracted to guys. I knew that from a very young age. What I wouldn’t know for almost three decades was that I was autistic.

Coming out as gay separated me from many family members that disowned me for “choosing that lifestyle.” Being gay is not a choice. One does not choose to endure the hardships many of us often face.

READ MORE on RainbowRoo...

Twainbow Pride Graphic

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Skype
  • Print

Filed Under: News

The ‘Double Rainbow’: Creating a Full Life as LGBTQ and Autistic

February 4, 2021 By Twainbow Admin Leave a Comment

Corey Coloma - Director and Board Member, Operations
Corey Coloma - Director and Board Member, Operations

"I don't fit in the cookie-cutter mold," says Corey Coloma. "I am a unique individual. I am not the conventional person."

Fifteen years ago, an almost-21-year-old Coloma came out as gay to his mother and close friends. The following year he came out to the rest of his family. Some accepted him; others disowned him. Years later, he'd have other, major news to share with loved ones, and reactions were also mixed. Like sexuality, neurodiverse identity is complex, and as Coloma would learn, often oversimplified or just plain misunderstood.

In 2014, Coloma was diagnosed autistic, initially by a nurse practitioner then subsequently by three psychologists. While some thought it made sense, Coloma reveals, others were "telling me I couldn't be autistic [because of] a variety of stereotyped misconceptions about the autistic community." Often, autistic individuals are characterized as introverted, lacking a sense of humor, or focused on a singular "special interest." Even now, Coloma says, "most people ask me what my special interest is. They also see if I can pick up on humor."

Coloma's current job as Director of Operations for Twainbow, a "100 percent autistic-led organization" is all about fostering a community for LGBTQ autistic individuals—and dispelling the many misconceptions they encounter. A portmanteau of "two" and "rainbow," Twainbow advocates for those living under a "double rainbow," or the LGBTQ spectrum.

Through shared resources, an online group and a new "autism pride flag," Twainbow seeks to change the conversation around LGBTQ individuals on the autism spectrum. "We have been contacted from around the globe by people [who] were told it was not possible to be LGBTQI+ and also autistic," says Coloma. "Twainbow creates a place for our community to gather and share experiences. It ensures that people know they are not alone."

READ MORE at EDGE Media Network

 

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Skype
  • Print

Filed Under: News

Six Organizations Helping People With Autism And Their Families

October 24, 2020 By Twainbow Admin Leave a Comment

 

Living with Autism Spectrum Disorder, or raising a child with ASD, can be difficult for a number of reasons, from dealing with bullying to not knowing how to communicate effectively. That's why organizations like the ones listed here work to provide people with the support and education they need, from inclusive media to helpful services.

Read More

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Skype
  • Print

Filed Under: News

Autistic Pride Day: June 18th, 2020

June 19, 2020 By Corey Coloma Leave a Comment

 

Louis Molnar Portrait
Louis Molnar, Board Member

“Throughout childhood I was always the outsider. Geeky, socially inappropriate, independent and protective of my freedom, the natural tendency to fit in didn’t rule my life. And it’s not because I’m a natural rebel. Nothing could be further from the truth. I mean, this was the 1980s and individualism was not yet in vogue.

The challenge is that I wasn’t accepted on any level. Flamboyant and dressing in a classically feminine/androgynous way but also possessing what was called a “robotic demeanour” by students and educators alike, I hardly fit in. But I didn’t choose to be an outcast.

Even though I didn’t want it, I was forced to accept that being the odd person out was my world…and little did I know it would be my future.

It was little wonder then, in my last year of high school, that when I was found laying on the couch cuddling my boyfriend that I was homeless for the first time. Growing up in those earlier decades filled with homophobic violence, the looming spectre of death that only AIDS could provide, the ever-present need to stay alive – that sheer grit of survival – became real. But now that I chose to live life as a gay person on my own terms, and not having the luxury of the option of ever being in the closet at any rate, there was freedom to choose my own life. So that’s what I did, finding a rag-tag group of friends that became my version of a family.”

READ MORE:
Autistic Pride Day Living Under A Double Rainbow:
A Tale of Two Closets

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Skype
  • Print

Filed Under: News

A reflection of my last 5 years

October 30, 2019 By Twainbow Admin Leave a Comment

By: Corey Coloma, Twainbow Director

Five years ago today I was diagnosed as mildly autistic. This was commonly referred to as Asperger’s Syndrome. My life would never be the same. It was a pivotal moment when everything in my life suddenly made sense.

However, I quickly learned how mistreated people like myself are. I would find out how the world views autistic people and how society doesn’t have a clue at all.

People would start using functioning labels for me like I was some second class citizen. Before diagnosis people didn’t question my abilities in this manner. I was an independent adult that was capable of anything I wanted to accomplish. But afterwards, I was someone that was viewed as disabled and inferior to others.
I would eventually be told I needed to be on social security and have a case manager through the county developmental disability office and I would need someone to help me interact with society how they deemed appropriate.

This was not what I wanted. I just wanted to be happy and find a career I loved. People often don't think I'm autistic because I don't fit their narrow minded view of who we are. Many people thought I must just be schizophrenic or that I memorized the questions to get a diagnosis. I went to the Amen clinic to have brains scans done about 4 years ago to prove I was autistic. That changed things for me.

The State has rules designed to control our lives and the lives of all people with disabilities. They choose what's best for their view of us. Not what we actually desire.

People would tell me I was high functioning. Something that really just says my autism doesn’t affect their life. Something that says my opinion doesn’t matter because I'm not like the people they deem as low functioning. Functioning Labels are one of the most useless pieces of an autism diagnosis. They don’t tell the real story.

I am constantly treated like an inferior person by so many people. Everything I do is ridiculed. People assume I am incapable. They assume I can’t drive or I can’t pay for myself because I must not have adequate employment. There are so many assumptions. The stigma and mistreatment of autistic individuals is much worse than actually living as an autistic individual.

People think I will be unable to communicate but people like myself communicate directly. We do not hint or play charades. If you ask indirect questions of me or hint at me and I don't respond all you need to do is ask directly to get what you want answered. It's also great if you tell me the purpose of your question as I will see all possibilities and not know what you are trying to find out. You should also know that I'm generally a private person and if you are fishing for something I will likely ignore you.

In 5 years I have completely changed my life. I continue to progress and better myself. I achieve my goals and continue the path I have created for myself. I have attained the middle class status and live in a modest apartment alone. I have nothing to prove. I am who I am and I have learned to love myself more.

Corey Coloma, Twainbow Director

I don't need anyone to be complete. I would love to have a dedicated life partner. It's something difficult to find in today's society. But I know I am worthy of love and will make a great partner. I am free to live my life how I desire.

Five years ago was the first day of the rest of my life. My diagnosis would nearly destroy me with two suicide attempts and a lot of heartache from the abuse I would go through. But after it all I would prevail and be reborn like a phoenix from the ashes.

I did not give up because of my autism but because of a great many life circumstances and abuse by those that were supposed to protect me.

You can shame me for giving up or you can realize that the mental health stigma with men is one of the problems with society and why men have such turmoil with living with mental health conditions.

If someone you know and love talks as if there is no reason to live or that they are worthless, reach out to them. Don't tell them to man up and shame them. Don't disregard their feelings. Support them in getting the support they need to change their life.

I'm so thankful for Louie in my life. I wouldn't be where I am today without his loving guidance. I never would have been able to succeed without my therapist Lincoln Witt here in Eugene Oregon with his neurofeedback therapy that changed my life.

If you are in the Eugene area I highly recommend Lincoln Witt as a therapist. He works with people with disabilities and gender and sexuality diverse individuals and uses many ways to change your life including neurofeedback therapy that will fix PTSD, anxiety, depression and more. He takes most major insurance providers.

I never would have imagined where I am today without these people in my life.

I am thankful I was not diagnosed earlier in life for I would have grown up being told by the world that I was incapable and a second class citizen.

I have taken a great deal of time to think about where I want to be and what I want to accomplish and continue to progress towards that.

Please read my diagnosis story and where I am in life now at the following links.

With all things said you must keep in mind this is my story and not that of everyone. All of us are each unique individuals with different paths and different abilities.

Sincerely Yours,
Corey Coloma, Twainbow Director

Diagnosis Story: https://www.twainbow.org/2017/12/18/i-am-autism-diagnosis-at-30-a-broken-system/
My accomplishments: https://www.twainbow.org/2019/07/29/twainbow-defines-what-it-means-to-live-under-the-double-rainbow/

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Skype
  • Print

Filed Under: News

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Please Support Us By Donating

Follow Us on Twitter

My Tweets

Copyright © 2022 · Log in