Due to some technical problems, I was unable to embed the video into my first post… I’ve resolved this problem, so I now present to you…
EYES OF DESIRE 2 – THE VIDEO CLIP
(this video is produced in ASL with English subtitles)
If you would like to learn more about Eyes of Desire 2 – A Deaf GLBT Reader, I encourage you to check out Raymond’s website for more information about the book and how to order your own copy!
http://www.handtype.com/books/eod2/index.html
You might recall how, back in March, I wrote a post here at the Crossroads introducing Raymond Luczak, a Deaf man who was gathering together stories for a book titled Eyes of Desire 2: A Deaf GLBT Reader.
I’m happy to report that after several years in the making, the book is coming out the middle of this month!
That’s right, folks… Eyes of Desire 2 is expected to ship by mid-October.
Why not join in the coming out party? Over 85 deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing individuals will be sharing their stories of what it means to be a Deaf Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual or Transgender person – not only here in the United States, but all over the world!
One of the things that I personally found exciting about watching the video was the diversity of spiritual paths that seem to be represented; including Hindu, Paganism, and Witchcraft. As a Deaf Pagan, this was nice to see! When I mentioned this fact to Raymond, he responded by explaining
“Yes, I did strive for more of a diversity in terms of religious belief systems when I worked on this book. I was a bit surprised–and a bit disappointed–that I didn’t get any pieces that focused on religion-based homophobia. Maybe it’s because it’s already common knowledge that due to their selective interpretation of the Bible, many organized religions have given GLBT folks a lot of grief.
Yet, I can’t say that I’m entirely disappointed because a few pagans and witches, all of whom are Deaf, have come forward with their stories. I’m delighted with that, because like any form of sexuality that steps outside the box of heterosexuality, spiritual belief systems that stay outside organized God-centric religions, especially in the Western world, are a constant reminder of how much more work many of us have to go in terms of religious tolerance.
One would do well to read Margot Adler’s book Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today to get a basic understanding and appreciation of these folks who have much to teach us about religious diversity and tolerance. That book has taught me so much back in the 1980s about what it meant to be a spiritual outsider, and to be misunderstood. Being a member of two minorities, I found it easy to sympathize with their situation. While I can’t say that I’m a pagan or even a neo-pagan, I happen to feel that if one is willing to study paganism, I say more power to that person.
It’s rather like a Deaf person trying to learn ASL in secret because as you know, in some families and schools around the country, signing is taboo. I think most Deaf people agree that signing–and knowing that they are indeed *not* alone–has given them the strength to embrace their own “differentness”, and therefore they become stronger individuals in spite of the fact that they live in a sound-centric world. Also, not many people have a lot of initiative to question their own organized religions or examine how or even why some of these beliefs came into being, so any such initiative to consider other avenues of learning should be applauded. It doesn’t mean that they will all become pagans; it means that they’ve learned to look at how the force of religion has shaped us from the outside. That by itself is an invaluable lesson.
I think we’re all here on this planet to question and learn, so anything that helps us learn and appreciate the essence of humanity in each other as well as respect the environment should be encouraged. Paganism and witchcraft are just among many of the choices facing all of us wondering if there’s more to spirituality than just mumbling prayers in church.
I should also mention that I’ve included pieces featuring opinions that I personally disagree with. If I had a controversial opinion to share, I’d want the same respect to be heard, so as editor, I felt morally obligated to give everyone that same respect in the book. It is my hope that readers will give these wonderful Deaf and hearing GLBT people and their straight allies the same respect when they read Eyes of Desire 2: A Deaf GLBT Reader.”
I’m proud to have supported this project, and look forward to receiving my own copy of this book.
Glad to see you were able to get past your technical problems, Osh. Yours truly is just as bad when it comes to understanding these confounded contraptions.
If I can remember what I said in my original comment (forgive me, I’m getting old and thus suffer from that dreaded “Can’t Remember Shit” disease…)
I want to thank Raymond for his wonderful comments in regards to spirituality and diversity. I think there’s a lot of truth to this. While certainly there are differences to be found between the Deaf, Pagan, and Gay communities, I think there are also a lot of commonalities to be found. I believe there’s much we could teach to and learn from one another.
As Pagans, both Ocean and I have always supported the concept of diversity and the practice of tolerance. We have had to deal with our own experiences of intolerance… Ocean probably even more than myself. As ordained Pagan clergy (I am a Third Degree High Priest, and Ocean is a Third Degree High Priestess), we have both had the pleasure of officiating over gay marriage ceremonies, and of bestowing blessings upon the newlyweds. Love takes on a diversity of shapes and forms.
Once again, I thank Raymond Luczak for his support of the Pagan Community. In return, I promise to do my best to guide my fellow Pagans in supporting the Deaf Community.
Bright Blessings to All!
Wonderful video!
I look forward to reading the book.
Thanks! I can’t wait to hold the actual book in my hands later this week if all goes well!
🙂
Raymond
I know few of them on the book.. I would love to have that book…
Wonderful video…. keep it up!
I loved this video about Eyes of Desire and would like to publicise your book through you video in our news section on VeeSeeTV. Would this be possible please? My email is susie@deafeatures.co.uk. We broadcast on SKY Satellite and IPTV Digital TV. Our programming is made by and for the deaf community. Best wishes, Susie and congratulations on your book!!
[…] a short entry in the book Eyes of Desire 2: A Deaf GLBT Reader (Raymond Luczak, editor; published by Handtype Press.) This anthology is a collection of stories, […]