Achievements of Deaf Rainbow UK
What have we done?
We are constantly working on new projects and collaborating with other organisations to help create a better world for Deaf LGBTIQA+ people. Here you can see what we’ve done so far, and make sure to come back to see what else we’ve done!
If you have any questions or thoughts you would like to share with us, please contact us.
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2022
Please check back soon for a list of our achievements in 2022.
2021
Please check back soon for a list of our achievements in 2021.
2020
January 2020
- Delivered training with EUDYouth to a group of deaf LGBTIQA people in Istanbul, Turkey to support them develop their own group from our experiences. Funded by Isitmederneck, part of United Colours project
- Consultation feedback finalised.
February 2020
- Lots of planning ahead to March 14th event to launch results of consultation and survey.
- Attendance by invitation to the Government Equalities Office first ever Leadership Summit, a great opportunity for visibility and to share our concerns and interim results from consultation.
- Presentation at King’s College on DeafLGBTIQA’s history
- Supported a request from National Student Pride 15th anniversary event, by recommending 2 young deaf people to present.
- Supported TransPride in their efforts to search a Trans BSL interpreter for their forthcoming research.
- Applied for a place on London Pride parade
- Small donation received from Non-Binary Action after someone wrote about non-gender specific signs.
- Had meeting with Tor Docherty, chief executive of New Family Social (NFS), the charity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) adopters and foster carers in view to making LGBT parenting information more accessible for Deaf people.
March 2020
- Launched results of consultation online rather than in person – COVID-19 made it necessary.
April 2020
- Several BSL access to drag queen MaryMac via promotion and technical set up with volunteer Tracey Tyer.
- Some work to support Queer House Party promotion
- Met with Stonewall to discuss working together on areas, agreement on areas formed.
- Damian Brewer represented us at NHS working group to look at LGBTIQA sector challenges
- Damain Brewer, working with Stonewall, will support a NHS focus group on experiences of Deaf people
- Work with ASLI to discuss results implications and work ahead with ASLI members, focusing on Deaf LGBTIQA and interpreter issues.
May 2020
- Became members of UKCOD
- Parapride invited us to be part of a digital webinar on Deaf experiences
- Endorsed book released by Knight, and offered to be part of creation of BSL book in future
- With New Family Social, Michelle Goodwin delivered a webinar via Zoom on Adoption and Fostering
- Gave a message of support to NHS Virtual Pride
June 2020
- Arran and Luis delivered training to Sheffield SAYIT LGBT youth group twice
- Delivered ASLI webinar on 9th
- Worked with Global Pride?
- Worked with Pride in London parade for Piccadilly lights
- Pride Inside – Amnesty – tried to work to achieve access and promotion
July 2020
- BDA Youth – Abigail hosted a live chat session
- Black Deaf UK – positive correspondence
- Promotion and joint work with Ask Deaf Teacher – MILK story
- Joanna Wootten brought in on consultancy to develop a 3 years strategy
- Significant increases in social media
- Webinar with Brilliant Beginnings, Michelle Goodwin delivered a Zoom webinar on Surrogacy
August 2020
- Resignations from both Damian Brewer and Abigail Gorman
- Revised temporary constitution
- Supported Trans Right to find interpreters for a protest
September 2020
- New name Deaf Rainbow UK confirmed by vote
- Facebook group Deaf LGBTQ PLUS changed name to match Deaf Rainbow UK
- Allies Statement
- Luna’s Ghost production engaged with us and gave us a donation.
- Participation in LGBT Consortium big funding application for Intersectionality
October 2020
- Developments of various volunteer groups with Deaf Rainbow UK (following Joanna’s recommendations)
- Development of Ethical Fundraising Policy
- Two Social Online socials held by volunteer group
- Application submitted to Charity Commission to become an unincorporated organisation
- LGBTIQA Social Dance in Scotland promoted
- Committee meeting with observers
- Instagram account gains up to 1000 followers
- Work with RAD Thrive project on providing workshops and activities in the London area for two years.
- Advice given to Double Life Music Video on being more clear in reaching Deaf community
- Development of Safeguarding Policy
- Support from Consortium Thrive and Survive
- Interview with Metro Charity to get funding for Coming Out Stories – awaiting news
- Co-delivered with RAD at Metropolitan Police Hate Crime Awareness week
- Committee meeting with observers
November 2020
- Funding confirmed from Metro Charity – £4000 to develop Coming Out stories
- Queer Britain promotion – we received £400 to work with them to develop a short targeted video and poster to promote to encourage deaf LGBT+ to take part in the materials for archive project (the first LGBTQ+ museum)
- Dec 2 AGM event being organised
- November 13th, Approved of as a Registered Charity 1192323
2019
February 2019
- We promoted a show, And the Rest of Me Floats, a show at Queer House which had access
March 2019
- We held a meeting with Diversity Role Models, the organisation that trains adult volunteers to go into schools and talk to young people about being LGBTIQA. We have some ideas yet to develop here.
- We approached Stonewall for ideas and support.
- We attended the London School of Economics talk on Disability and Intersectionality
- We celebrated Trans Day of Visibility on social media.
April 2019
- We did an informative article on Cervical Cancer Screening with BSL & English.
- We tried to approach Pride in London again over access issues.
- We received a request from Birmingham Pride on supporting them to find interpreters.
- We joined the LGBT Consortium as an associate member.
- We provided a BSL workshop on HIV Testing and PrEP medication care in London.
- We celebrated Lesbian Day of Visibility on social media.
- We had an informative stall at City Lit Deaf Day with over 400 visitors.
- We did an interview article on Gary Cutmore ‘Most Inspirational Student Nurse of the Year’ award at the Student Nursing Times Awards 2019.
- We were asked to assist Rotherham Pride to promote to deaf people.
- We set up the official Deaf LGBTIQA Facebook community page to engage with the Deaf LGBT Plus Facebook Group.
May 2019
- We asked for ideas for what women want from Sexual Health.
- We advised about access provision in the gay play, Love is Only Love – to be shown 1-6 July at the Other Place Studio.
- We advertised a HIV Trial project being run by Bloomsbury Network
- We approached UKLGIG to tell any deaf LGBTIQA refugees about our support
- We raised awareness on International Homophobia, Biphobia & Transphobia Day on social media.
- Deaf Diaspora invited us to do a workshop in September but we had to decline due to resources.
- We celebrated Stonewall’s 30th anniversary on social media.
- We were approached by members about interpreting concerns in Sheffield Pride.
- We developed an application for a grant and submitted it to the LGBT Consortium for approximately £9k funding.
- We approached UK Black Pride to understand how they provide access via a Deaf person.
- We were asked to participate in the Queer As Fk campaign, which seeks to reclaim pride and focus on core issues of LGBTIQA people rather commercialised Pride
- Deaf LGBTIQA UK Instagram was launched.
- We received an approach from Dr Adam Schembri to support a project continuation on BSL signs used by Deaf LGBTIQA people.
- We were asked for advice on interpreters for Milton Keynes pride
- We also have had contact from several deaf LGBTIQA people on advice relating to personal issues.
August 2019
- Funding from LGBT consortium confirmed for our research work to complete by March 2020.
- BDA shared our information about PREP and HIV workshop
- Supported RAD on a request for deaf cross-dresser to meet/support one of their clients.
September 2019
- Anna Robinson (she/her), Researcher and Coordinator, All Parliamentary group regarding LGBT contacts us to work together, we replied and are still waiting to hear from her.
- Brook agrees to release resources with Damian Brewer’s input, especially items with BSL during Sex Disability week
- We promoted a BSL accessible Vogue Ball
- We helped promote Central Rainbow, Birmingham Deaf LGBT, to relaunch itself
- We worked with BDA to launch information about Deaf LGBTIQA as part of International Week of the Deaf
- Youth Group meeting although only 4 turned up.
- We advised BP Pride Group re interpreters for a Transgender event
- We did an interview with Davy Nauth for Bi Pride.
October 2019
- We had to decline a request to train some deaf young leaders in regards to LGBT for a London based organisation due to no capacity and identified skilled people.
- We agreed and wrote an article for KENDRIC, a magazine focused on Lesbians in South East, about our work.
- We worked with BDA Youth to deliver transgender and LGBT workshop
- We recruited and supported about 14 volunteers to set up their focus groups for the research consultation happening, and have prepared for their training on October 26th.
- We wrote a letter to UK Pride Network with views of deaf LGBTIQA people and Performance interpreting ahead to prides for 2020. We hope to get a positive reply.
- We worked with LGBT Consortium on significant issues of dual authorisation for our bank account to be able to proceed with the grant.
- We reached out to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to support the consultation despite lack of funding.
- Did a presentation on LGBT issues for BDA Youth at St. John’s Deaf Centre.
- We were not able to help a request from ASLI South West to cover LGBTIQA related signs due to capacity.
November 2019
- We helped advise Rosie Benn from BSL Zone to reach deaf LGBTIQA members on programme ideas
- We discussed with Empowering Deaf Society their request for training but this did not take place; it was not considered possible due to resources and lack of evidence of demand.
- Online survey goes out with lots of PR generated.
- All six focus groups took place for the consultation; South East, London, North West, South West, East Midlands and West Midlands
- Article by Daniel mcManus on Birmingham Equality Education SRE in schools.
December 2019
- Promotion of get yourself tested for HIV; https://www.startswithme.org.uk/
- Feedback in response to the London Fast Track Citites initiative stigma proposal
- Consultation closed with 190 responses.
- Analysis of consultation data undertaken for approximately 10 days.
2018
June 2018
- The Deaf LGBTIQA Facebook group agreed to support the idea of setting up a website – £500 was raised through crowdfunding from members of the group. We also received another £500 from DeafFab.
- LGBTIQA Twitter Account was launched.
July 2018
- We attempted to communicate with Pride in London on access issues.
- The Deaf LGBTIQA UK website was built and launched.
September 2018
- We were contacted by the first deaf LGBTIQA person on coming out advice.
- Bi-Pride UK asked us to promote their accessible pride event
October 2018
- We approached Liverpool Pride on access for deaf people.
November 2018
- We did a national HIV testing video promotion.