What Came First? The Neuroqueer or the Influencer?

In class, we discussed whether neoliberalism and contemporary pop culture empower individuals to express their authentic gender identities. Most classmates voted no, yet my journey suggests otherwise. Influencers like ALOK Vemmon have inspired me to embrace my authentic self, while platforms like TikTok validate late-life ADHD and autism diagnoses.



Critics often view trans and gender non-conforming individuals as products of social media trends, but representation matters; you cannot be what you cannot see. This raises important questions: If neoliberalism doesn’t empower authenticity, yet I feel empowered, what does that mean for our identities?


Nick Walker describes neuroqueering as an active process—doing something to explore and express identity, like through art or performance. This verb-like quality invites us to redefine our neurodivergent experiences. In navigating these complexities, we find empowerment through the connections we build online, even in a world often dominated by commodification and superficiality.



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