September is Deaf Awareness Month!
September 25: Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf (RAD)
Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf (originally the National Rainbow Society of the Deaf, NRSD) was founded by Roy Parker in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with co‑founders Michael Hagerty, Richard Hill, Guy Wonder, Herbert Fradin, Edward Schwartz, James Dunne, and Richard Thrash.
Incorporated as a nonprofit on April 30, 1977, its first convention was held at the Oceanside Holiday Inn and hosted by the Coconut City Society of the Deaf (CCSD). Four founding chapters were represented at the first convention: Empire Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf (ERAD), Windy City Rainbow Society of the Deaf (WCRSD), Sir II, and CCSD.
Over time the organization evolved: in 1982 NRSD became the Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf (RAD) to include Canadian members; annual conventions ran until 1985, then shifted to a biennial schedule beginning in 1987. In 1991 the term “convention” was changed to “conference” to better accommodate grants and donations.
RAD’s mission is to support the educational, economic, and social welfare of Deaf LGBTQ+ individuals by fostering fellowship, defending rights, and advocating for social justice; numerous affiliated Deaf LGBTQ+ organizations now exist across the United States and Canada.
RAD’s website: deafrad.org
RAD on Facebook: facebook.com/DeafRAD/