We sure do! There are more than 30 Deaf Queer organizations in the United States. Some of these organizations, such as the Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf, date back to the 1970s! The Deaf Queer Resource Center maintains the most complete list in the country of these groups. Find it in our Organizations section.

Contact schools, colleges, Deaf Service Centers, or other agencies that work with Deaf people to inquire about the local Deaf population. Typically, Deaf people will know the general local Deaf population in their area. It is safe to estimate that there will be at least one Deaf person for every 1000 hearing people in an area. These numbers may increase in larger areas.

Deaf people tend to value clear communication. If the word "fat" is what is meant, then the word "fat" is used. Hearing people tend to use other, nicer, words such as "overweight," "plump," or "chunky." Hearing people should understand that Deaf people want you to be clear when communicating with them. Say what you mean! Most of the time you will not be too blunt for Deaf people, but they will appreciate your clear communication.

No. Some people who are deaf (and many who are hard of hearing) are trained in lip reading (or speech reading). In certain settings, when the speaker cannot be observed, they rely on the use of an Oral Interpreter who is specially trained to articulate speech silently and clearly, as well as rephrase or choose words that give higher visibility on the lips. Natural gestures and body language can also be used.

LGBT coaches or athletes of color must contend with prejudice against LGBT people as well as prejudice and discrimination because of their race. Because of this, the experiences of LGBT athletes or coaches of color are often different from those of white LGBT people. For example, they may feel less willing to identify themselves as members of two groups who are discriminated against.

Individual athletes sometimes call LGBT people in athletics names, spread rumors about them, or encourage others to avoid contact with them. Coaches sometimes require LGBT athletes to keep their identities hidden or try to encourage the athlete to change their sexual orientation. In extreme cases, LGBT people in athletics are physically threatened; or their property is vandalized.

While this number is difficult to measure, the Kinsey Institute suggested that approximately 10% of the population is lesbian or gay. This would equal approximately 28 million per the U.S. 2000 census. Gay men, lesbians,and bisexual people are found in many walks of life, among all racial groups, and at all socioeconomic levels. Gay men's and lesbian's personalities vary as widely as do those of heterosexuals.

Just like ordinary people. "Some believed, and some believed not." However in Africa, for example, scores of deaf people have been saved, baptized and nurtured in the Word of God. Many are helping to educate and evangelize other deaf Africans.

The best way to meet Deaf people is to go where they meet. Go to social gatherings such as dinners at the local mall, Deaf Coffee, and some Deaf clubs. Contact Deaf leaders in your community to locate these gathering places.

The greatest need of Deaf people is the same as for hearing people -- to have Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Our ministry is dedicated to the Great Commission of reaching and teaching Deaf people with the Good News about Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23. "All" means all people, even the Deaf. Deafness is not a handicap, but a "communication handicap." Special effort is needed to get the Gospel to Deaf people.

This questions is sometimes still being asked. Blind people use braile to read. Deaf people use Sign Language to communicate. Deaf-blind people use braile to read and tactile (hand touch) Sign Language to communicate. Do you have a question? Send us your question by email. Questions of general interest may by posted on this page in the future. Send questions to

We're either born deaf or become deaf. A person born deaf is said to be congenitally deaf; a person who becomes deaf after birth is adventitiously deaf. Adventitious deafness can be either pre - lingual (occurring during the first 3 years of life). Or post-lingual (becoming deaf after age 3.

gt; eQualityGiving directory of organizations is unique because it lists the organizations with a letter from a major donor (who usually is also on the board of directors). Another directories that you can check are: GayCrawler, Gay OK.

Individual athletes sometimes call LGBT people in athletics names, spread rumors about them, or encourage others to avoid contact with them. Coaches sometimes require LGBT athletes to keep their identities hidden, or try to encourage the athlete to change their sexual orientation. In extreme cases LGBT people in athletics are physically threatened or their property is vandalized.

This is a cultural and based upon experience. Hearing people have historically dominated Deaf people. Often Deaf people's desires have not been acknowledged or even surpressed. Deaf people can tend to be cautious when dealing with hearing people, possibly because of bad past experiences. This can be overcome as a Deaf person gets to know a hearing person better. What is the difference between big "D" Deaf and little "d" deaf? This is an interesting question.

LGBT stands for Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender. It's a short acronym to represent the primary sexual orientation minorities. (GLBT is the same thing.)

No census of deaf and hard of hearing persons has ever been carried out in the State of Texas primarily due to the cost of such a monumental effort. The "Summary Health Statistics for U.S. Adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2005", U.S.

Watching an interpreter for a long time is not easy. Also, some interpreters have difficulty clearly interpreting church services. Church interpreters should improve their sign language and interpreting skill to more clearly communicate what is being said in church. I am a church interpreter. Should I become certified? How? Becoming certified is not essential to interpreting in church, but it is highly recommended. The certification process is a valuable learning process.

Not necessarily. Whether or not Deaf people come may be influenced by their own church background (or lack of one), interpreter skill, your heart for Deaf people, accessibility, and other factors. Generally, a heart for Deaf people is more important than interpreter skill, although skill is important.

SWM has a wide variety of materials for teaching Deaf people. It is recommended to start with our 8-year Sunday School program.

Generally, churches will establish an area called the "Deaf Section," although Deaf people may also choose to sit in other locations. Usually the Deaf Section is in the front and to one side of the church. It is recommended that the section be located where Deaf people can easily see the interpreter, the speaker, and any visuals such as PowerPoint or videos. Also, it is recommended that the Deaf Section NOT be in the back of the church, as Deaf people rely upon their eyes to communicate.

Deaf people grow in their relationship with Christ, they should be encouraged to become more involved in church. All workers should be qualified before being allowed to serve. This includes Deaf people. Just because a person is Deaf does not mean he can teach Deaf people. Positions such as greeters and ushers are good places for Deaf people to start serving God in church. As they become more mature in Christ, they can become teachers, leaders, deacons, and pastors.

Parents are often the source of a child's early acquisition of language. A deaf child who is born to deaf parents who already use ASL will begin to acquire ASL as naturally as a hearing child picks up spoken language from hearing parents. However, language is acquired differently by a deaf child with hearing parents who have no prior experience with ASL. Some hearing parents choose to introduce sign language to their deaf children.

No, we don’t have it as a standard service although it could certainly be arranged. Keep in mind however that you will follow very simple written instructions and our friendly staff will most likely anticipate

Only a small percentage of language is speech readable. Many words look the same on the lips. What the mouth can form is only a small portion of speech reading. The other factors affecting speech reading ability are not visible in that manner.

When LGBT people in sports are stigmatized, many young men and women go to great lengths to avoid association with lesbians and gay men by monitoring their appearance, mannerisms, and relationships with peers. In women's sports, the lesbian label is often used to discourage women from challenging inequities between men's and women's sports. If women fear being called lesbians, this can be an effective way to intimidate women into accepting less than equal treatment.

Some people say that they have "felt different" or knew they were attracted to people of the same sex from the time they were very young. Some transgender people talk about feeling from an early age that their gender identity did not match parental and social expecations. Others do not figure out their sexual orientation or gender identity until they are adolescents or adults. Often it can take a while for people to put a label to their feelings, or people's feelings may change over time.

No. Lesbian, gay, and bi people are as varied in their dress, mannerisms, and lifestyles as are heterosexuals. Despite this diversity, many stereotypes persist about the effeminate man or masculine woman. Although some gay people reflect these characteristics (see "Why Are Lesbians And Gay Men So Blatant"), the overwhelming majority of lesbians and gay men do not conform to these stereotypes, and their sexual orientation is invisible to the general public.