LGBT Deaf Culture in America

LGBT Deaf Culture in America

Coming Out StoryA Deaf woman describes the story of coming out to her parents.

Started in 1977 by Roy ParkerFocused on advocacy, fellowship, and visibilityOver 15 chapters in US and CanadaAffiliated with Deaf GLOW and GLADE

Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf

Other OrganizationsDeaf Queer Resource Center (DQRC)Est. 1995Focused on educationFounded by Dragonsani RenteriaDeaf Counseling, Advocacy & Referral Agency (DCARA)Grassroots organizationLGBT Deaf friendly, but not primarily focused

ConnectionsDeaf Gays and Lesbians of the West (GLOW)Gay and Lesbian Association of the Deaf East (GLADE)DQRC Facebook and TwitterNAD openly supports LGBT rights and gay marriage

Cultural DifferencesCurrently, more Deaf LGBT people are out than hearingHigher acceptance Less available education

Notable PeopleRaymond Luczak (playwright, author, filmmaker)Terry Galloway (Mean Little Deaf Queer: A Memoir)Dragonsani Renteria (founder of DQRC)

LGBT Deaf in MediaRunning Without Sound (short film)Deaf directors working on gay-themed plays at New York Deaf Theatre Language of One (Deaf, gay, Jewish architect)

Health professionals more skepticalMiscommunication leads to higher spread of HIV/AIDS

Health Concerns

A Personal Perspective: Richard WatkinsLargely positive experiencesFeels that the Deaf community is more accepting and inclusive of LGBT people than the hearing communityLGBT Deaf culture important because of shared experiences and commonality