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 Joán Joel!
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 a person with a trimmed beard, wearing a black vest, round sunglasses, and a blue hat and standing in front of a beige wall.)
"I’m proud to be Deaf and Queer, why? They silence us, ignore us, they think we’re nothing -- but I defy that oppression to become who I really am." (Video transitions with a glitching effect to show a photo of a very young Joán grinning at the camera, wearing a fancy gray suit and bow tie and holding a cup in one hand. Then the video transitions with the same glitching effect back to present-day Joán, still wearing the same attire as before, but now without sunglasses.)
"I was sweet and quiet growing up, but I was bullied for it. They called me “girly,” “freak,” “whore,” names like that. I suffered and hid who I am because I was ashamed, but one day my world was turned upside-down. I was raped. I realized people are really threatened by queerness. They wanted to silence me and squash my Pride. I was so torn. It was really all my collective experiences, but THAT was the moment I decided: enough is enough." (The video transitions with a glitching effect to show a silhouette of a person's profile arching their back with their face turned upward, on a colorful rainbow gradient background. The same glitching effect transitions to show present-day Joán again.)
"I empowered myself with ballet and with Romance world art, both of which are beautiful. To the young Deaf Queer people out there: I feel for you. I see you. Don’t hide your Pride or get caught up in the little things. Think strong -- OWN your glow, your space, your Pride! Don’t let them bring you down! Forgive yourself, and forgive others. Keep moving forward." (The video transitions in a glitching effect to show a photo of Joán with blonde hair walking down a street at a Pride march. Joán is slightly lunging in a pose angled out with arms and face turned away from the camera and toward the crowd watching from behind metal parade barricades. Joán is holding a black umbrella in one hand and wearing a gold jacket and black shorts. The video transitions back to present-day Joán with the same glitching effect.)
"Three years ago on my 30th birthday, the Pride march was happening on the same day, which was so cool. I thought, “Perfect.” I decided to wear my gold jacket in honor of the Deaf LGBTQ+ community. For me, having the Deaf world and the Queer world in one Deaf Queer community is CHAMP, period. Proud!" (Joán pumps a fist in the air before the video transitions with the same glitching effect to a black screen. 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.)