The Complex Intersection Between Autism, Prejudice and the LGBTQIA+ Movement: An Analysis of an Excerpt from the Series "The Good Doctor".

Abstract

In contemporary culture, digital content like social media videos and TV series shape social perceptions, sometimes with negative impacts, particularly in countries like Brazil. The series The Good Doctor exemplifies this, with an episode exploring sexuality and diversity through the lens of an autistic doctor. The character's rigid belief in binary sexes (XX and XY) and his ignorance of conditions like Klinefelter's and Morris syndromes reflect a narrow perspective. A confrontational dialog highlights his lack of empathy, which contrasts with his efforts to challenge autism stigmas. Conservative groups exploited this episode to align with radical narratives perpetuating LGBTQIA+ stigmas, despite the character's ignorance being unintentional. The discovery of testicular cancer in a transgender patient challenges the simplistic view of transgender identities and underscores their complexity. In Brazil, a country with high LGBTQIA+ violence, the use of this video by conservative and religious groups is alarming and contradicts principles of compassion central to Christianity. Addressing such issues requires a deeper understanding of the autistic spectrum and fostering empathy for sexual diversity, promoting social justice and harmony.