Announcement

  • Cruise
    Click here


  • From RAD Pageant
    Director

    Click here


  • From Miss RAD
    Click here


  • From Mr. RAD
    Click here


  • Montreal's 2nd Video
    Click here


  • Montreal's Famous City!
    (video)

    Click here


  • For RAD Pageants!
    Click here


  • 2015 Conference Bid
    Click here


  • Conference Info
    Click here


  • Start a new Organization
    Click here


  • 2013 Delegate Info
    Coming Soon



  • RAD Chapters
    Subscribe FREE!!


  • Mission Statement

    Our mission is to integrate, support, and serve the following:

    • Social/Fellowship
    • Education
    • Leadership/Team-Building
    • Visibility/Awareness
    • Diversity
    • Network
    • Advocacy
    • Deaf Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer – Deaf LGBTQ
    Meet the Officers 2011-2013


    Left to Right: Larry, Steven, Henry & David

    President: Larry Pike email
    View Picture

    Vice President: Steven Schumacher email
    View Picture

    Secretary: Henry Carter email
    View Picture

    Treasurer: David O'Toole email
    View Picture

    The History

    The Rainbow Alliance began as a vision of Roy Parker, Ft Lauderdale, Florida. He wanted gays and lesbians from all over America to gather as new and old friends to become acquainted. He called a group of deaf friends together to establish an organization first known as National Rainbow Society of the Deaf (NRSD) which was later changed to Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf. Co-founders were: Roy Parker, Herbert Fradin, Michael Hagerty, Edward Schwarz (deceased), Guy Wonder, James Dunne, Richard Thrash (deceased) and Dick Hill.

    NRSD was born on April 30, 1977 as a nonprofit organization in Ft Lauderdale, Florida. The first convention was held at Oceanside Holiday Inn (now demolished and replaced by parking lots) and hosted by Coconut City Society of the Deaf (Ft. Lauderdale and Miami). There were 80 people (and one drag queen) in attendance. Herb Fradin became the first President, Mike Hagerty, the first Vice President, and Edward Schwartz, the first Secretary/Treasurer. Coconut City Society of the Deaf presented the bible and pen to be used at every oath of our new officers. At the beginning we had 4 chapters and 4 delegates and 4 alternate delegates. They represented Empire Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf (ERAD)-New York City [Ed Schwarz and Guy Wonder], Windy City Rainbow Society of the Deaf (WCRSD)-Chicago [Jim Dunne and Richard Thrash], Illinois, Sir II-Detroit, Michigan [Mike Hagerty and Dick Hill] and Coconut City Society of the Deaf (CCSD)- Ft Lauderdale/Miami, Florida [Herbert Fradin and Roy Parker].

    The convention was to be held annually in different places. It was decided that the second convention would be held in New York City with Empire Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf as host in April 1978 and to be followed by Cleveland, Ohio in September 1979. The rest is history.

    In 1982 it was decided to change the name from NRSD to Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf to include our Canadian brothers and sisters. It was also decided that the 1985 Convention in Washington, DC would be the last annual convention. In 1987 we began our biennial convention in Ft Lauderdale, Florida on RAD's 10 th anniversary. In 1991 it was decided that we would change the wording convention to conference so that we would be eligible to receive grants and donations.

    The purpose of this Alliance is to establish and maintain a society of Deaf Gays and Lesbians to encourage and promote the educational, economical, and social welfare; to foster fellowship; to defend our rights; and advocate our interests as Deaf Gay and Lesbian citizens concerning social justice; to build up an organization in which all worthy members may participate in the discussion of practical problems and solutions related to their social welfare. RAD has over twenty chapters in the United States and Canada.

    RAD Committee 2011-2013

    RAD Law Committee

    • Chair: Steven Schumacher
    • Committee:Ellen Hibbard
    • Committee:Greg Puhlmann

    Finance and Auditing Committee

    • Treasurer: David O'Toole
    • Auditor: David Bennett
    • Auditor: Daniel Cosgrove
    • Auditor: Corky Sparr

    Standing Committee

    • RAD 2013 Chairperson: William Cleary
    • RAD Pageant Director: Juan Bernal
    • Miss RAD 2011-2013: Sunika Glitteria a.k.a. Masa Nakama (DC)
    • Mr. RAD 2011-2013: Joel Campos (Chicago)
    • English-French Document Translator: Ricky Drake
    • RAD Webmaster: Henry Carter
    • Parliamentarian: Libby Pollard
    RAD Chapters

    Association Des Gais et Lesbiennes Sourds, Inc.

    Buckeye Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf

    Florida Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf

    Mile High Rainbow Society of the Deaf

    New Jersey Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf

    Northwest Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf

    Ontario Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf

    Philadelphia Lambda Club of the Deaf

    Windy City Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf

    Wisconsin Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf

    Deaf GLOW / GLAD-E (Currently inactive)

    The Deaf Gays/Lesbians of the West (Deaf GLOW) is run by local chapters in the states west of the Mississippi River. For local chapters in Canada, the province border line between Ontario and Manitoba divides it.

    The Gay and Lesbian Association of the Deaf - East serves the Deaf GLBT Community of Eastern North America. Working with local affiliates, GLAD-E conducts educational training and workshops in their area. We also promote networking between local Deaf GLBT organizations.

    Both Deaf GLOW and GLADE-E hold biennial conferences on the even number years (RAD conventions are held on odd numbered years).

    Man of the Year / Woman of the Year

    2001 - Herb Fradin, Daniel Nelson & Donna Platt, Drago Renteria
    2003 - Ernest Hoffmann and Barbara Hathaway
    2005 - Ricky Drake and Lisa Furr
    2007 - Michael Turgeon and Marlee Matlin
    2009 - Steven Schumacher and Vicki Kirkpatrick
    2011 - Larry Pike and Libby Pollard
    2013 - (will be announced at RAD Conference in Montreal)

    All About RAD Conference...

    Places where RAD Conference was held at:

    RAD Conference 2011-2019

    RAD Conference 2001-2009

    RAD Conference 1991-1999

    RAD Conference 1980-1989

    RAD Conference 1977-1979

    RAD Fact Sheet

    Officers and Members

    The Alliance is run by the Board between conferences. The Alliance is then run by delegates during the conference.

    RAD Board

    The RAD Board consists of the Executive Board and Program Coordinators.

    Executive Board

    The Executive Board of RAD consists of a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

    Program Coordinators

    The Program Coordinators consist of a Education, Outreach/Public Relations and Development

    Non-Profit Organizational Affiliates

    Non-Profit Organizational Affiliates include Deaf Lesbian Representative, International Deaf Leather (IDL) Representative, RAD Youth Representative, Deaf Lesbian, Deaf Queer Resource Center (DQRC) and RAD Seniors.

    Standing Committees

    Standing Committees include Pageant Director, 3 Auditors, Historian, Conference Chairs, English-French Translator, Bylaws Committee and Past-President's Club.

    Membership Categories

    There are six membership categories: Chapter Affiliates, Non Profit Affiliates, Professional & Business, Individual/Associate, Youth/Students and Seniors.

    Future RAD Conference Sites

    2011... The 22nd Biennial RAD 2011 Conference will be held in Denver, Colorado.

    2013... The 23rd Biennial RAD 2013 Conference will be announced.

    RAD Documents

    2011 Bylaws (current)
    2009 Bylaws (for reference purpose)
    How to Start a New Chapter
    2009-2011 RAD Brochure

    RAD Necrology

    RAD Necrology 2009-2011 (Current)

    RAD Necrology 2007-2009

    RAD Necrology 2005-2007

    RAD Necrology 2003-2005

    RAD Necrology 2001-2003

    Contact Us | Disclaimer | © Copyright 2011 RAD