Similarities of Deaf and Gay culture

[Jstorm1801]

Hello~

My name is Joe and I am an ASL 2 student in Boston MA. I have an assignment to write a paper about the similarities between Deaf and gay culture, more specifically, dealing with the tv show, The L Word. I have watched three episodes of season 4 when Marlee Matlin makes her appearance on the show, but I am still a bit confused as to what to right about. Being an ASL student, I have learned from my tutor that both gay and Deaf cultures are very similar and connected, yet in my research online, I havnt found much literature. The paper is only three pages and no sources are required, but I do not want to just B.S. my way through this. I would like to make accurate, meaningful statements, rather than just bold generalizations. Thought I have much admiration for both cultures, I am neither gay nor Deaf, and I am also afraid to speak about a topic I am not that informed about. If anyone can point me in the right direction, or help out with some facts I could use, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

 

[CJB]

This is a really intriguing question. I hope Bottesini doesn't slap me for answering.

I'm transgender and HOH, but never really thought of the overlap between cultures till now. Regarding the show The L Word (of which I use to be an avid follower), I think the most prominent overlap would be the increased intimacy and interconnectedness. It's not unusual for everyone to know everyone else through one or two degrees of separation. I don't know if it's the same in big cities, but in my semi-rural town, it seems like everyone knows everyone else within the Deaf/Hoh community. To parallel, in the LGBTQ community, and especially the gay and lesbian communities, it's not uncommon to be friends with your exes or to date your friends, since the dating pool is just so much smaller.

 

[Lighthouse77]

What kind of assignment is that? Weird.