I'm a tech entrepreneur, a filmmaker, a college instructor, a husband and a father. I'm also Autistic.

Autism Speaks claims to be the largest Autism advocacy organization in America. The facts are quite different. Autistics are not allowed to serve on their board of directors, are not allowed to openly participate within the organization and the organization will not consider our voice, opinion or political position.

Autism Speaks associates itself with fringe, anti-science organizations. Autism Speaks was one of the loudest supporters of the anti-vaccination movement, which has now been thoroughly discredited by scientists and doctors across the globe. Despite this, its founders have fired or pushed out many of Autism Speaks top science advisors. Autism Speaks supports the Judge Rotenberg Center, which is under a DoJ investigation for its use of electric shock on students.

Imagine an organization dedicated to gender equality that did not allow women to be members. Imagine an American organization dedicated to ending racism that was entirely composed of white Americans. That's Autism Speaks. Within our family, we refer to them as "Autism Silenced."

I love Blue Man Group, particularly because the hyper-visual, non-verbal nature of the show fits so well with the Autistic mind. While all of humanity can appreciate the bright colors and seemingly-random visual humor, the show reflects the autistic experience; curious, naive, innocent, slightly askew and yet utterly human.

My wife and I have been planning to take our nine year old son, who is also Autistic, to see Blue Man Group in Chicago. Unfortunately, we are now boycotting Blue Man Group until it publicly ends its association with Autism Speaks. If they truly wish to support Autism, Blue Man Group should lend its support to an organization specifically chosen by Dr. Temple Grandin, John Elder Robison or another trusted member of the Autistic civil rights movement.

I choose to believe the positive; I believe Blue Man Group's association with Autism Speaks is well intentioned but poorly researched. Despite that, the best way to create change is to loudly and publicly boycott their shows until they change. And the moment they change, I'll return as a customer!

Please, sign this petition. Also, let Blue Man Group know you support this petition by tweeting them @bluemangroup.

For more information about why Autism Speaks is anti-Autistic, please see these articles:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/emilywillingham/2013/11/13/why-autism-speaks-doesnt-speak-for-me/​

http://autisticadvocacy.org/2014/01/2013-joint-letter-to-the-sponsors-of-autism-speaks/