Teen Gothic

I (M) have identified as goth most of my life, but I struggle with feeling like I don't belong because I don't dress like a stereotypical "goth".

Although I do wear a decent amount of black (which I LOVE), it's generally not very "alternative" style.

I don't have tattoos, and no piercings, etc. (though in my heart I do)

Many days I look and dress like a typical person. Like, most days if someone saw me they would never guess I was goth. I know lots of people who identify as goth could say the same, but still.

I DO however have dark, witchy, goth decor in my apartment, and I'm a regular at my city's local goth club (the one place I do dress in an outwardly goth style).

But I still feel like an imposter sometimes. Do others struggle with that? I know this might all sound superficial, maybe it's just in my head. Other perspectives might help me. Thanks!

It could be a product of my ADHD or just that I have little knowledge about certain things. I've been a part of the goth culture for quite a while, and sometimes in frustrates me to be unable to easily deduce between what's what.

First of all, I’m strictly talking about goths on Tik Tok. I understand goth people get made fun of all the time but why do the same to others? Why are people judged for simply having a different taste of music, fashion, and mindset? Not everyone is capable of liking the same things. I’m just confused. I posted about this somewhere else and got judged and told I had no understanding of goth?

Really silly to vent about, but it’s just getting to me I guess . I don’t think my parents like me being goth and it’s getting to me. Just overheard them talking about me and what I wear and pretty much how they don’t like it. It just hurts that I can’t be this perfect daughter. I’m just really tired of it, but if I stand up for myself I’m the bad guy and I’m just tired of it. I feel like the black sheep of my family, I feel like I can’t be my authentic self if I’m being completely honest

Do any other autistic goths feel this way? I feel like alot of autistic traits are just seen as goth stereotypes to most people. One example is that one of my biggest special interest is horror. Normally people would be like "Why do you know so much about violent media? You're a freak…" While with me they go "Ofc you like that stuff just look at you" along with many other autistic traits being seen as stereotypes such as barely emoting or being touch averse. And thats not even mentioning the fact that goth dancing is peak stimming. I feel like being goth gives autistic people a good excuse to unmask because we don't have to worry about being seen as weird if society at large already does.