Newsgroups: bit.listserv.deaf-l
Date:         Thu, 20 Aug 1992 11:01:51 EDT
From:         "Dave Windley, Data Comm Specialist X799" <AADW@CATCC.BITNET>
Subject:      Why not try it?
X-To:         DEAF-L%SIUCVMB.BITNET@uga.cc.uga.edu

Annette sez:

> Everyone - I certainly didn't intend to offend anyone w/the comment:
> isn't one a choice (sexual preference) & the other not (physical
> disability)?

I truly don't think that you offended anyone with your comment.  A
      look at the wording shows that it is a question, not a
>     statement against someone.  The more questions people ask,
      the better chance we all have at erasing negative stereotypes.
      It is human nature to fear what we do not understand.  Asking
      questions is a good way to gain understanding!

> Does an LGB child need special handling as a deaf child does like
> learning sign/English, special schools, mainstreaming, etc.?  This
> is just one of my experiences (kind of like when we were discussing

      Indeed, I have pondered that thought many times myself.  Would I
      have had a better life growing up if I had accepting and
      supportive parents, positive teachers and counselors as role
      models, and similar peers to share experiences with?

      For me, the answer is an emphatic YES!  It should come to no
      surprise that I am also a staunch advocate of residential
      schools as well, and for the exact same reasons.  Like D/deaf
      persons, people who are LGB face a tremendous challenge in
      dealing with seemingly inherent bigotry and prejudice of the
      majority of people.

      Contrary to a recent posters comment, people who are LGB have
      not made any progress at all in that direction.  There are just
      too many barriers against us to even hope that equal access in
      education can occur on a large scale.  Of course, some
      individuals become hidden role models.  But often, these LGB
      role models are discovered, then strongly oppressed.

      My advisor/counsellor in high school was a good example.  At
      that time, I did not know the meaning of labels like LGB, but I
      knew that I was totally different from what everyone expected me
      to be.  My counsellor seemed to nurture me along, encouraging me
      to express my hurt and feelings of inferiority.  He was a great
      role model.  I heard a few years after graduation that he had
      come out to one of the students who was greatly stressed by the
      cultural difference.  That counsellor was fired because he was
      Gay.

> formed attitudes towards the deaf):  my college roommate thought
> that she might be LGB & tried it for awhile; you don't "try"
> deafness/hearing impairment - you either are or you aren't & then
> psychologically adjust to it.

      Just a minute before you make fast judgements.  I am Hearing
      and did try, (sometimes still do) to be deaf.  When I entered my
      second semester ASL class, we had to do what was called a "Deaf
      experience".  This required us to use wax or foam earplugs to
      muffle our hearing enough that we could not readily depend on
      speech for communication.  Then we had to spend an entire day
      "trying" deafness.  It was quite interesting, and produced many
      good termpapers.  You see, we really did not become deaf, but
      only mimicked one small facet of that lifestyle.

      Similarly, many people experiment with some facets of LGB
      lifestyles.  I remember reading in a Psychology textbook that
      over 78% of all people have at least one same-sex encounter
      of one kind or another in their lifetime.  But remember, these
      people are simply trying to maintain an open mind to other's
      sexual behaviors.

      Like being D/deaf, "you either are or you aren't (LGB)".
>
> Annie wanted thoughts/comments, & I'm sure she's prepared for all
> types. What did everyone else think?  There are over 100 of you but
> so few of you (& it's your choice of course) participate.
>
> --Annette

      Annette, I hope my thoughts/comments help clarify what your
      roomate went through, and how important it is to many on the
      road to developing sexual maturity.
======================================================================
   Dave Windley,                       Catonsville Community College
      Data Communications Specialist          800 South Rolling Road
      Sign Interpreter                     CATONSVILLE MD 21228-9987
      GLBO Co-Founder                          Voice: (410) 455-4799
      ITR Club Vice President                             AADW@CATCC
======================================================================
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU