Deaf Drag Queen Dazzles DeafNation World Expo

VIDEO [CC] - Deaf News: Deaf drag queen dazzles the audiences of DeafNation World Expo in the sin city of Las Vegas.



LAS VEGAS, NV -- KTNV Channel 13: When you come to Las Vegas, when you dance on the Strip, the music is almost all you hear.



One performer takes to the stage in high heels and a tiara hearing absolutely nothing.



Jolene is a drag queen who lives in Las Vegas. She is also fully Deaf. She may not speak, but she is not quiet.



"A lot of people can't believe that a Deaf person can do it," said Jolene, through an American Sign Language interpreter.

She's been doing drag for three years and has never met another Deaf drag queen. This may not be the job that pays the bills, but she loves signing songs and apparently crowds love it too.



"Oh yeah, people are really surprised, people are really shocked. People announce that I'm Deaf and it shows; people clap like this they say yay!" said Jolene.



When she's performing, she follows a screen and feels the vibrations of the music with the help of a hearing aid.



Even though she's one of many performers in Las Vegas for the Deaf Nation World Expo she stands out, and a few inches taller, than the rest.



You can catch one of her weekend shows at Charlie's Las Vegas on Arville Street.



SOURCE

Deaf Gay Man's Video Project 'I’m From Driftwood'

VIDEO [CC] - A Deaf man has shared his story of learning to embrace his identity, to encourage others to come forward.



Richard Mesich, from Portage, Indiana, shared his story via American Sign Language for LGBTQ video project "I’m From Driftwood"



Mr Mesich explained how he “felt like the only Deaf Gay in the world” after coming out and struggled to find a place where he could fit in.



He explained how he came out to his mother over instant messanger, saying: “Before my 21st birthday, I was talking to my mum on AOL instant messenger. We were talking and my mum asked me, ‘Are you gay? Are you interested in boys?’

“I was thinking and realized it is time for me to open up, so I told my mom, ‘Yes, I am gay.’



“She said, ‘Okay, that’s good I am happy to hear that from you. I knew you were gay since you were a little kid’.



He continued: “Years later, after college, I started dating. I dated a few guys on and off. It was good and enjoyable.



“I met this one person and he was hearing. We went out for dinner, and we could communicate a little but sometimes it’s hard with a hearing person. Mostly I would text on my phone to communicate.



“It was a very nice time, as he was very patient and understanding. But I realized that being Deaf and gay can be difficult with gay hearing people that I had dated.



“Sometimes they don’t understand about Deaf Culture or know about Deaf Culture. Also they don’t know that sign language is my first language. Some of them understood, but some of them didn’t fit in with Deaf culture.



“Comparing high school to where I am now, I used to feel lost and isolated. I didn’t know who I was.



“Now I feel confident, happy and know who I am. I’m comfortable with hearing and Deaf people, it doesn’t matter to me.



“Now I know who I am but I am not in a rush to look for love. All that matters are my family and friends who I enjoy being with.



“Whoever is out there will be very supportive and love who I am. I want it to be something that lasts.”



He added: “That’s the reason why I want to tell my story. If someone out there is Deaf and gay, I want them to know that there are other people who are Deaf and gay... Read more: pinknews.co.uk/2015/03/29/watch-deaf-gay-man-shares-his-journey-to-find-acceptance/