Newsgroups: bit.listserv.deaf-l
Date:         Tue, 1 Sep 1992 22:30:27 EDT
From:         "Dave Windley, Data Comm Specialist X799" <AADW@CATCC.BITNET>
Subject:      Progress...however

Seth Gordon sez:

> Note that if a mainstream school took this approach to teach their
> hearing students about deafness and Deaf culture, but very few of
> those kids were interested in learning ASL, many deaf kids in that
> school district would still need to go to a residential school--all
> their peers' good intentions and lack of prejudice wouldn't erase
> the *communication* barrier that an isolated deaf child with poor
> speechreading skills has.
>

      I agree wholeheartedly with your comments on the topic of
      communication.  But, alas, that was not my point in the
      partial quote below.

>       Contrary to a recent posters comment, people who are LGB have
>       not made any progress at all in that direction.

>
> Bullshit.
>
      In this quote, I was referring to the available role models,
      such as Marlee Matlin in Children of a Lesser God; the
      international "DEAF WAY" at Gallaudet; the Deaf President
      NOW campaign; the complete revamping of the RID to
      improve the overall uniformity and skills of sign language
      interpreters; and the list goes on.

      Quite a few events have made the masses wake up and realize
      that Deaf people have certain needs that have not been met
      for a long time.  Just these few items I mentioned have had
      a major impact on how the "majority" views Deaf people.  Big
      changes have occurred since these events that have improved
      d/Deaf peoples lives due to increased exposure.

      Simply stated, people who are LGB do not have well known role
      models like Marlee or I. King Jordan.  Since Stonehenge, there
      have not been any well-publicized events that have given us
      positive increased exposure.  Whereas a d/Deaf child has the
      availability of residential schools complete with quality
      cultural education from role models, the LGB child has almost
      nothing.  LGB children have only local community centers,
      if accessable, or the local Gay bars, or a one in a million
      chance at meeting someone like them with whom they can share
      basic ideas with.

      Although some states prohibit descrimination against persons
      who are LGB, it still occurs every day.  Just think about a
      teenager, puzzled about the feeling of being different from
      peers, who sees a bulletin on mass media about the Supreme
      Court supporting the ban on Gays in the military, or about how
      a private club was raided and participants jailed for
      "indecent exposure".  There is no wonder why the suicide rate
      is higher amongst LGB kids than those who are d/Deaf.

      Perhaps you disagree, but I believe the evidence is clear:
      d/Deaf people have come a lot farther than people who are LGB
      towards overall acceptance.

> I work as an overnight counselor at a dorm with emotionally disturbed
> teenage boys.  My co-workers, my supervisor, and the principal of my
> school know I am bisexual.  If they all retire, and their replacements
> have a problem with my sexuality, they cannot legally fire me just for
> being queer; the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act protects me.

      I would be very careful about using that Act as any kind of
      defense.  Similarly, d/Deaf people are refused jobs and fired
      even thought they are "protected".  If an employer wants you
      out, s/he will nitpick enough and find a loophole, thereby
      forcing you out, covering their discrimination all the while.

>
> My home state, and my employer, are more liberal-minded than most
> other places in the US.  But the presence of these niches is a sign of
> real progress.  Twenty-five years ago, an openly gay or bisexual man
> was about as employable in the education field as a convicted rapist;
> maybe even less employable.
>

      I absolutely agree with what you say here, as well.  I just
      wanted to clear up the misunderstanding you had with my
      earlier quote.

      Wouldn't it be nice if some day, all of us could be looked at
      as individuals, without labels or prejudice?  Variety is the
      spice of life, and different people is what makes life fun.

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   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
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