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Do deaf people tend to be homosexuals? It is a hot topic discussed on one of the largest deaf dating site http://www.deafloves.com recently. In this topic, a user Ben of this site said he had worked in nightclubs and restaurants with a large gay clients for over the years and noticed a distinctly higher percentage of (mostly men) deaf homosexuals. And he was very curious of this phenomenon.

I have heard on occasion that Deaf people have higher proportion of gays than then general population. The deaf gay community is so large that it has its own web sites, magazines, ezines, and discussion lists. The largest deaf gay organization is the Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf. The RAD has chapters across the United States. It has its own mailing list. There is even one for deaf bears and cubs, gays who prefer hairy gays. There are some famous deaf gay people. Raymond Luczak is an openly gay deaf man who has edited and published an anthologybook about being deaf and gay, Eyes of Desire: A Deaf Gay and Lesbian Reader. Luczak is also a filmmaker.

And on one of the largest deaf dating site deafloves.com, there are also a large amount of homosexuals users, more than 2000. They all have quality profiles. Bearman says in his profile “I like tall, hairy, strong guys. However, looks go so far. I would love to meet a laid back guy that loves to laugh and try new experiences. I’m always up for meeting new people and making new friends, and I like a man that’s outgoing as well. I plan on learning ASL completely, and would love to meet a good looking Deaf man. Hit me up, let’s grab some beers and see where it goes.”

Another one describes his match: ‘A man who can accept me for who I am. A man who can love me unconditionally. A man will know my loyalty to him. For better, For worse, a man knows he can have my heart. For health, for sickness, can you lead me the way? It is for you to find out.’

Many deaf gay people actually find it easier than hearing people to recognize and accept their sexuality, a fact that may explain the impression that a disproportionate number of deaf people are gay. Everybody has a theory on this one: Gallaudet French and Spanish instructor Buck Rogers believes deaf gay children are sheltered from much of the mainstream culture’s verbal homophobia by not hearing it.

Others say it caused by their growing environment. Sexual abuse and molestation, Deaf youngsters are far more likely to be sexually abused than hearing youngsters. Most of deaf lesbian were previously sexually abused during their childhood. Homoerotic feelings are more easily manifested and acted on because many deaf children are educated in group homes and seek comfort because they feel abandoned by their parents. Studies show that when boys have no healthy father role while growing, their feelings toward the same sex would become romanticized, sexualized & eroticized.

Still others suspect the process of coping with being deaf makes acceptance of yet another difference more natural.

No one knows exactly how many gay deaf men there are in the United States. And there aren’t scientific studies supporting a genetic link between deafness and homosexuality.

However, “because of using sign language, deaf individuals are very visible at public events. Also, with studies showing less homophobia in the deaf community, deaf gay people are likely more open about their sexual orientation. So it may be easier for them to come out in the general population, further skewing perceptions”, notes Gutman.

I do suspect that being gay is more acceptable in the Deaf Community. But whether it is true or not, we all have to show respect toward the culture.