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.

Co-Founder

Dick Hill

19?? - 

Co-Founder

Guy Wonder

1945 - 2020

Co-Founder

Roy Parker

19?? - 

Co-Founder

Herbert Fradin

1929 - 2010

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

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

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

1977-1979
1st Administration

President- Hebert Fradin
Vice President- Mike Hagerty

Secretary / Treasurer- Edward Schwartz

1978 Conference Co-Chairs- Guy Wonder

1978 Conference Co-Chairs- Eddie Schwartz
-

1977 Conference Chair- Roy Parker