TikTokOn TikTok, amplifying voices is key to ensuring that our community feels listened to and heard. So continuing in the spirit of Disability Pride Month, we're featuring a creator that will not only have you in stitches but more importantly, reflects the importance of representation. Meet Luke (@veganluke)! As an autistic stand-up comedian, Luke's content appeals to TikTok's #comedy fans and our wider community alike. With 113K followers and 5.3M likes, he has a huge and rapidly growing audience, and it's clear why.
From his videos unpacking the meaning behind the hidden disabilities sunflower and chronicling questions about his autism, to sharing his love for PEZ dispensers and stellar skating skills, his stitches will - quite literally - have you in stitches. Digestible, engaging and witty, Luke's videos represent the best of TikTok, and we're here for it all!
Luke has also been instrumental in destigmatising his condition and unpacking important but less well-discussed topics such as autism masking, engaging with followers in his videos and comments. In this week's Creator Spotlight, we asked Luke what Disability Pride Month means to him, how his TikToks contribute to representation, and what inspires him to create on the platform.
Firstly what does Disability Pride mean to you?
To me, it means celebrating disabled people, celebrating myself, being proud of who I am and showing the fantastic diversity in this community.
Why do you think raising awareness about disabilities matters?
There are a lot of people that look down on disabled people - we get viewed in a negative light and some people still think being disabled means that your life is the worst. This is so far from the truth, and we need to make people understand what our lives are really like and how positive they can be.
What do you love most about comedy on TikTok?
I love that there’s such a fantastic mix of comedy on TikTok, and the amount of creativity is also incredible.
What first inspired you to create on TikTok?
I’d been doing standup comedy for a few years and then lockdown happened so most places were shut down. Comedy gigs weren’t happening so I thought, why don’t I turn my stand-up into sketches, and that’s what I did, and that’s what I’ve carried on doing since.
What is your goal on TikTok?
To make people laugh and make them happy. My main goal though is to help people understand autism, because that was the main reason I started making videos on TikTok.
Which other TikTok creators with a disability inspire you?
@Disabled_Eliza, @_thislineismine, @lifeofrylie_, @ellen_jones, @alicebradshawx, @itsmillyevans. Those are just a few, but there is such a fantastic community of disabled creators on TikTok.
What is your favourite TikTok you have made to date and why?
This very silly sketch, because it’s true to me. I’m really not a fan of handshakes.
New to TikTok and keen to learn more about Disability Pride Month? It couldn't be easier, simply download the app for free via the Apple App Store, Google Play or Amazon!
