ADHD and Being Gay 

– Reframing Chaos as Creativity

Living as a gay person with ADHD is a bit like starring in a reality show where the plot twists are unpredictable, the editing is chaotic, and you’re the hero just trying to make it to the next episode. It’s vibrant, messy, and a constant adventure in self-discovery. But it’s also profoundly shaped by the way society views both queerness and neurodivergence.

For decades, ADHD was seen through a narrow lens. Not long ago, it was believed to affect only school-aged boys—the ones who couldn’t sit still, who were always fidgeting or speaking out of turn. But today, the understanding of ADHD has expanded. Diagnoses are skyrocketing across all demographics, particularly among young and middle-aged women, as well as other groups historically overlooked, like LGBT individuals.

This shift in recognition is long overdue. ADHD traits—attention problems, impulsivity, and difficulty organizing—are no longer viewed as isolated, binary “problems” to be fixed. Instead, science now sees ADHD as part of a broader neurodivergent spectrum. And much like queerness, the conversation is shifting from what’s “wrong” with us to what’s different—and how to work with it.