I took a sign language class, and I relized that there was no sign for bisexual?

Question

So my question is, is there a sign, and what does the deaf culture think about gays, lesbians, bis, and transgendered people?

Answer 1

There are different types of signs in ASL. In some cases we have something called a lexicalized or fingerspelled loan signs. The most common sign I see for the concept bisexual is simply fingerspelling B-I with a slight left to right movement (for right handed signers, right to left for left handed signers). There is another sign I used to see which uses a non-dominant V handshape and a dominant curved V handshape. The dominant curved V makes a small inverted arch over the tips of the non-dom V to indicate changing between two types of partners. I think it has mostly fallen out of use because people in the Queer community saw it as suggesting infidelity.

As for views of the Queer community within Deaf culture, it's like anywhere else. There are people that have no issue with it, others who find it offensive and of course there are Queer deaf people as well. Within in RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, a nationally recognized certifying body for Sign Language interpreters in North America) there is a SIG (special interest group) for Queer 'terps called BLeGIT (Bisexual, Lesbian, Gay, Intersexed, Transgendered Interpreters/Transliterators).

Answer 2

I don't know much about sign language, but it was made in a time when the word 'bisexual' was unheard of. I doubt there is a common sign for it, and if most people would even understand it.

As for the other question.. I would find it strange if the deaf community was homophobic. The deaf come up against discrimination and insults just as gay people do. However if they are religious I wouldn't be surprised if they had a negative image of gay people. In my general opinion, I think those who have tougher lives by way of being a minority or handicapped are far more tolerant than those who have it easy.

Answer 3

I'll pass this along to my sign language interpreter friend Paul...

Gregory

Answer 4

I know there is one for Lesbian and one for Gay. Bisexual would probably be fingerspelled .. if the Deaf person knows the sign .. after you fingerspell it to them .. they would show you the correct sign to use. Whenever a new word comes out .. such as the word, Microwave, (30 years ago) .. there was no sign for it .. but as it comes up more and more in conversation .. people get tired of fingerspelling it and then develop a sign for it. Good Luck ! :) PS .. just because your instructor doesn't know a sign for bi-sexual, doesn't mean that there is not one. It only means that they do not know of a sign for that English term.

Answer 5

There is a sign for gay and lesbian. For bisexual, I have always just fingerspelled "b-i".

As far as the communty's feelings towards non heterosexuals, its the same as the hearing community; some people are strongly against it, others don't mind. Actually, I think the Deaf community is more accepting of homosexuality. They all have to deal with oppression, descrimination and everything else that comes with being a minority, so they aren't going to shun someone for being a minority. They'd rather be brought together by a common bond of deafness and sign language than be torn apart by intolerance.

I have met Deaf people and interpreters who are gay, lesbian, and bi. Since Deaf people are such a linguistic minority, if they find someone they can communicate with, they aren't going to care what their sexual orientation is. I have never met a member of the Deaf community who has rejected someone because of their orientation, but I am going to assume that there are some people who would, just based on the fact that there is no universal rule for any group.

Answer 6

Hmm; I'm involved with the Deaf Community. I'll have to look into this one...

Answer 7

i am not sure but if there is not one for bi i would hate to think of the one that would be used for the others

Answer 8

what's the sign of lesbian then?