Second Adolescence Ep. 66: Bella Crum (they/she) on Listening and Returning to Our Bodies as Queer and Neurodivergent People
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Jun 16, 2025 Bella Crum, a queer and neurodivergent somatic practitioner who helps people unmask and find joy, shares their journey of identity and nervous-system–informed healing. They talk about sensing yes versus overriding, how somatic practice reconnects body and brain, and what somatic cohorts and coaching look like for queer neurodivergent folks.
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Growing Up Different Without Queer Models
- Bella grew up feeling different, loving sparkly girly clothes while mostly playing with boys and feeling like she fit everywhere but nowhere.
- She lacked queer role models in her neighborhood and only knew gay men and nightlife, not queer families or partnerships.
Friends Gently Called Her In
- Friends gently called Bella in when her self-labeling as straight didn't match how she showed up.
- That loving nudging helped her begin questioning and naming her queerness in adulthood.
Masking Hides Sensation And Desire
- Bella links masking and compulsory heterosexuality to not being able to entertain queerness or bodily sensations like pleasure.
- Neurodivergence braided with queerness made untangling experiences like kissing and sensory mismatch necessary.
