HISTORY OF RAINBOW ALLIANCE OF THE DEAF
History of NRSD - RAD
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 (RAD).
Co-founders were:
Roy Parker
Dick Hill
Michael Hagerty
Guy Wonder (deceased)
Herbert Fradin (deceased)
Edward Schwartz (deceased)
James Dunne (deceased)
Richard Thrash (deceased)
NRSD was born 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 (CCSD) (Ft. Lauderdale/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 used at every oath of our new officers.
At the beginning we had 4 chapters and 4 delegates and 4 alternate delegates. They represented:
1. Empire Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf (ERAD)
[ Ed Schwartz and Guy Wonder ]
(New York City)
2. Windy City Rainbow Society of the Deaf (WCRSD)
[ Jim Dunne and Richard Thrash ]
(Chicago, Illinois)
3. Sir II
[ Mike Hagerty and Dick Hill ]
(Detroit, Michigan)
4. Coconut city Society of the Deaf (CCSD)
[ Herbert Fradin and Roy Parker ]
(Ft. Lauderdale/Miami , Florida)
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 (RAD) 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 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. There are several Deaf LGBT organizations in the United States and Canada.
1/2
Co-Founder
Dick Hill
19?? -
1/3
Co-Founder
Guy Wonder
1945 - 2020
1/1
Co-Founder
Roy Parker
19?? -
1/4
Co-Founder
Herbert Fradin
1929 - 2010
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67700552_2323609477759655_72730273404965
1/1
Co-Founder
James Dunne
1929 - 2016
RAD Administration Era:
2021-2023
23rd Administration
President- Roy Jones
Vice President- Deidra La'shay Pelletier
Secretary- Tar Burt
Treasurer- Samantha Moore
2023 Conference Chair: LaHollis Hill
Attendance: -
2019-2021
22nd Administration
President- Roy Jones
President- Paul Kiel ( Resigned )
Vice President- Deidra La'shay Pelletier
Vice President- Roy Jones ( Took over the office of President )
Secretary- Tar Burt
Secretary- Shay-Lynn Willett ( Resigned )
Secretary- Steven Schumacher ( Resigned )
Treasurer- Samantha Moore
Treasurer- José-Ovi Velasquez ( Resigned )
Treasurer- David O'Toole ( Resigned )
2021 Conference Co-Chairs: James Wilson IV / Tar Burt
Virtual Attendance: 86
2017-2019
21st Administration
President- Henry Carter
Vice President- Larry Pike
Secretary- Steven Schumacher
Treasurer- David O'Toole
2019 Conference Co-Chairs- Melvin Beeman / Roy Jones
Attendance: 101
2015-2017
20th Administration
President- Henry Carter
President- Greg Puhlmann ( Resigned )
Vice President- Larry Pike
Vice President- Suzette Garay ( Resigned )
Secretary- Steven Schumacher
Secretary- Henry Carter ( Took over the office of President )
Treasurer- Barbara Hathaway
2017 Conference Chair- David Welker, Jr.
2017 Conference Co-Chair- Juan Bernal
Attendance: 129
2013-2015
19th Administration
President- Steven Schumacher
Vice President- Suzette Garay
Secretary- Warren Allen, Jr.
Treasurer- Larry Pike
2011-2013
18th Administration
President- Larry Pike
Vice President- Steven Schumacher
Secretary- Henry Carter
Treasurer- David O'Toole
2009-2011
17th Administration
President- Larry Pike
Vice President- Steven Schumacher
Secretary- Henry Carter
Treasurer- David O'Toole
2011 Conference Chair- Daniel Cosgrove
2007-2009
16th Administration
President- Larry Pike
Vice President- Vacant
Secretary- Steven Schumacher
Treasurer- David O'Toole
2009 Conference Co-Chairs- Vicki Kirkpatrick
2009 Conference Co-Chairs- Raymond Rodgers
2005-2007
15th Administration
President- Bob Donaldson
Vice President- Barbara Hathaway
Pro Temp Secretary- Steven Schumacher
Treasurer- Larry Pike
2007 Conference Co-Chairs- Larry Pike
2007 Conference Co-Chairs- Steven Schumacher
2003-2005
14th Administration
President- Bob Donaldson
Vice President- Barbara Hathaway
Pro-Tem Secretary- Steven Schumacher
Treasurer- Larry Pike
2005 Conference Co-Chairs- Bill Terrell
2005 Conference Co-Chairs- Ricky Drake
2001-2003
13th Administration
President- Lisa Furr
Vice President- Bob Donaldson
Secretary- Barbara Hathaway
Treasurer- Billy "Zookie"Barr
2003 Conference Chair- Ernest E. Hoffmann
1999-2001
12th Administration
President- Scot Pott
Vice President- ?
Secretary- ?
Treasurer- ?
2001 Conference Co-Chairs- Donna Platt
2001 Conference Co-Chairs- Ricky Dockter
1997-1999
11th Administration
President- Scot Pott
Vice President- Ralph Lesley
Secretary- Emmett "M" Hassen
Treasurer- Hank Stack
1999 Conference Co-Chairs- Bruce H. Dunn
1999 Conference Co-Chairs- Camilla Nodier
1995-1997
10th Administration
President- Michel Turgeon
Vice President- Ralph Lesley
Secretary- Scot Pott
Treasurer- Hank Stack
1997 Conference Co-Chairs- Darin Turner
1997 Conference Co-Chairs- Chubb Scott
1993-1995
9th Administration
President- Michel Turgeon
American Vice President- Adele-Marie Vallario
Canadian Vice President- Guy Fredette
Secretary- Scott A. Pott
Treasurer- Hank Stack
1995 Conference Co-Chairs- ?
1991-1993
8th Administration
President- Philip Rubin
American Vice President- Adele-Marie Vallario
Canadian Vice President- Vianney Jomphe
Secretary- Edward Kelly
Treasurer- Marlena Rosendahl
1993 Conference Chair- Ron Scolaro
1989-1991
7th Administration
President- Marlena Rosendahl
American Vice President- Phillip C. Rubin
Canadian Vice President- Michael Turgeon
Secretary- Edward Kelly
Treasurer- N. Kent Babson
1991 Conference Co-Chairs- Michael Felts / Alma Via
1987-1989
6th Administration
President- Brian D. McCarthy
American Vice President- Don Bangs
Canadian Vice President- Michael Turgeon
Secretary- Don Bangs / Ricky Drake
Treasurer- Marlena Rosendahl
1989 Conference Chair- Karen Halupnik / Sandy Kuzella
1985-1987
5th Administration
President- Ernest Hoffmann
Canadian Vice President- Michael Turgeon
Secretary- Don Bangs
Treasurer- Marlena Rosendahl
1987 Conference Co-Chairs- Herbert Fradin
1987 Conference Co-Chairs- Michael Brown
1983-1985
4th Administration
President- Ernest Hoffmann
Vice President- Mary Anne Pugin
Secretary / Treasurer- David Nelson
1985 Conference Chair- Ernest Hoffmann
1981-1983
3rd Administration
President- Harry Woosely, Jr.
Vice President- Rosemary Ortiz
Secretary / Treasurer- Ernest Hoffman
1982 Conference Co-Chairs- Larry Pike
1982 Conference Co-Chairs- Peggy Eaton
-
1981 Conference Co-Chairs- Albert Walla
1981 Conference Co-Chairs- Dick Smith
1979-1981
2nd Administration
President- Hebert Fradin
Vice President- Harry Woosely, Jr.
Secretary / Treasurer- Ernest Hoffman
1980 Conference Chair- Raymond Barton
-
1979 Conference Co-Chairs- Janice Pomaville
1979 Conference Co-Chairs- Barbara Walker
