At Morpheyes Studio we are humbled, honored, and excited that many of you took the time to share your stories with us and the community. This series would not be possible without your enthusiasm and vulnerability. Our aim is to show young Deaf Queer people that they are not alone in the world, and give them hope through representation.
Here is one of the many beautiful stories shared with us -- by Elle Chi!
DESCRIPTIVE TRANSCRIPT:
(The logo of a heart with Pride flag stripes and an outline of an ear in one half of the heart appears on a white background again. The heart logo spins and slides left and right, revealing the words “DEAF + QUEER” in funky black lettering. The heart logo slides up above the title. Then appears Elle, a person with glasses and a bandana wrapped around their forehead with hair tied up. Elle is wearing a white T-shirt and sitting in front of a greyscale patterned tapestry.)
"I'm proud to be Deaf and Queer because of all the Deaf Queer kids who need hope. To summarize my coming-out story, when I first came out was just to my siblings and my close friends, and they were all very accepting of me. A few years later I came out to my parents, and just before I did it, my mother asked me if I was pregnant. I was like WOAH! “How could that be possible when I’m Queer? Yes, I’m Queer.” They were shocked, but they still love me no matter what my preferences are. There is this misconception [that my] Deaf identity and my Queer identity don’t exist in one body. That’s not true. There have and always will be Queer people in the Deaf community creating a unique history and subculture. Having both of these identities allowed me to grow my resilience and made me who I am. The advice I would give to Deaf Queer kids is to just be yourself. Come out whenever you’re ready, but don’t feel pressured, take your time. Just know that your love is valid, as is who you are -- whether your identity is visible or not. And one last thing:" (Elle leans forward to switch on a string of lights flashing different colors.) "HAPPY PRIDE!" (Elle waves with both hands at the camera, beaming, before swooshing an ILY sign with one hand toward the camera. Fade. The logo of a heart with Pride flag stripes and an outline of an ear in one half of the heart appears on a white background again, above the words “DEAF + QUEER” in funky black lettering. End.)