Who We Are
MN Deaf Queers is a community-based group located in Minnesota that focuses on Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing LGBTQ+ people. Our allies are welcome and valued members of this community-based group.
Our group name, MN Deaf Queers, was voted on by the community.
![3AA37712-271D-4F89-A812-635A279C0424_edited.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/386e8a_7885d50a84db45d5bb08217a0b9a4014~mv2.png/v1/crop/x_38,y_0,w_1634,h_1664/fill/w_215,h_219,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/3AA37712-271D-4F89-A812-635A279C0424_edited.png)
![Crowd cheering at Pride event](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ea26fd_8d27fe2a015d48beb169b13b556943bc~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_60,h_34,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/ea26fd_8d27fe2a015d48beb169b13b556943bc~mv2.png)
"Deaf"
We use the term Deaf as an inclusive term to define all members, including Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf+.
![Two women at Pride event giving "I Love You" ASL sign](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d70e09_c8324571a7714c57a1727e22aa4201f9~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_257,y_525,w_1039,h_1387/fill/w_283,h_377,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/nwdn_file_temp_1610863036274_JPG.jpg)
![Man giving DeafBlind woman tactile sign language](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d70e09_076f0c2a7d6c44c189864757aeefbbc1~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_7,y_0,w_1466,h_977/fill/w_300,h_200,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/61610933_2829300247086797_78186638984955.jpg)
"Queer"
We use the term Queer as an umbrella term inclusive of all identities. All are welcomed, respected, and part of our community.
![Diverse Deaf group at Pride Festival sitting behind a booth](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d70e09_49e753d2dbd74983bb59f6b37070c085~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_138,y_270,w_1693,h_1015/fill/w_387,h_232,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/nwdn_file_temp_1610863074637_JPG.jpg)
![Singer Deborah Cox and ASL performer dancing back-to-back](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d70e09_8a89a9620e714358a7f879f88e171227~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_48,w_619,h_787/fill/w_169,h_215,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/nwdn_file_temp_1610862868508_edited.jpg)
Deaf Pride Awards
The annual Deaf Pride Awards, MNDQ premier event, is an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate those who have given so much back!
![Rainbow flag with pro-equality words on it](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d70e09_f1a837820c394770833be75707d59f0e~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_72,h_54,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/d70e09_f1a837820c394770833be75707d59f0e~mv2.png)
![Minnesota Deaf Queers Mission Statement](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d70e09_ac32282856254763936fc5f4194f8a85~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_72,h_54,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/d70e09_ac32282856254763936fc5f4194f8a85~mv2.png)
![Deaf Awards Sponors](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d70e09_75926df904514d33a23c5b42d33f4a4c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_72,h_54,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/d70e09_75926df904514d33a23c5b42d33f4a4c~mv2.png)
![Rainbow flag with pro-equality words on it](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d70e09_f1a837820c394770833be75707d59f0e~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_72,h_54,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/d70e09_f1a837820c394770833be75707d59f0e~mv2.png)
Check out some of our past ceremonies!
Meet The MDQ Team!
![James Paul Beldon.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/386e8a_9f11c38a31de48e7b08717c5358c8f25~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_1189,y_114,w_1885,h_1902/fill/w_191,h_193,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/James%20Paul%20Beldon.jpg)
![RISS.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/386e8a_06784896c0d6478aaec182304913672b~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_1061,y_391,w_2205,h_2279/fill/w_186,h_192,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/RISS.jpg)
![ERIC NOOKER.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/386e8a_a5124b1f16c94188b704ee736bde0a14~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_565,y_367,w_2699,h_2792/fill/w_186,h_192,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/ERIC%20NOOKER.jpg)
![JOHN WILSON.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/386e8a_9b61190a01b744b6a912edcdecd27038~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_147,y_210,w_1701,h_1757/fill/w_186,h_192,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/JOHN%20WILSON.jpg)
James Paul Beldon
Riss Leitzke
Eric Nooker
John. Wilson
![IMG_3597 2.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/386e8a_d37190e14b224d0eaf0304e5ca5910a6~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_202,y_266,w_2102,h_2107/fill/w_192,h_192,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/IMG_3597%202.jpg)
Lilly Steinbruckner
Deaf Queer Social, Legislation, Gala
![HEATH.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/386e8a_4ed7d01cf13c47eea2cede281996d690~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_20,w_796,h_823/fill/w_186,h_192,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/HEATH.jpg)
Heath Focken
Deaf Queer Social
![Man with short brown hair smiling](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d70e09_fd54e1bb20884a9082cc7565d8c52b56~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_198,h_198,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/68819298_10156832511648533_7975227568242.jpg)
Waymon Hudson
MDQ Online Communications
![Del%20anderson_edited.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d70e09_19163e71650c4f51812923ad16f753a1~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_8,y_0,w_464,h_479/fill/w_186,h_192,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/Del%2520anderson_edited.jpg)
Del Anderson
MDQ Event Volunteer
Deaf Queer Social
Legislation
DB Liaison
MDQ Rainbow Cookout
Gala
Fundraising
MADC Liaison
Gala and Awards
![Woman in glasses smiling with arms crossed](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d70e09_e5dc0e17a0b3475eb042b45f2c1393a7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_51,h_51,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/BIO%20photo.jpg)
Jessalyn Akerman-Frank
MDQ Organizer
![PATRICK.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/386e8a_3299cd45a72a4fdf9eda5eaba388635a~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_658,y_1028,w_2390,h_2403/fill/w_192,h_193,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/PATRICK.jpg)
Patrick Vella
MDQ DeafBlind Community Liaison
![woman smiling while tipping her red hat](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d70e09_620798bc945b43e1a91d12ac33c9863a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_198,h_198,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/IMG_1521_edited.jpg)
Cookie Brand
MDQ Rainbow Families Coordinator
MDQ Parade
![woman with glasses and short hair smiling](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d70e09_a2a287e6c38847ea97a981a400c8569c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_198,h_198,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/KatMan19-20_edited.jpg)
Kathy Manlapas
MDQ Rainbow Families Coordinator
![Man with beard wearing baseball cap smiling with camera in hand](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d70e09_712f1c9f54cc4938aa68ad4f37d9854d~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_0,w_2254,h_2260/fill/w_192,h_193,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/IMG_8685_edited.jpg)
Jack Williams
MDQ Photographer
MDQ Booth Chair
![pam%20burry_edited.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d70e09_5716f5a3af544406814bb58a02a10eb6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_198,h_198,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/pam%2520burry_edited.jpg)
Pam Burry
MDQ Black Deaf Liaison
![IMG_1510_edited.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d70e09_77520862f1f94130944a942e2e6e61a0~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_262,y_79,w_1737,h_1795/fill/w_186,h_192,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/IMG_1510_edited.jpg)
Jer Loudenback
MDQ History and Archives, MDQ Booth Chair, MDQ Parade Chair, Gala
![albertwalla_edited.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d70e09_ecf4e1c3b68148e5beda158a7db7486f~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_27,w_240,h_248/fill/w_186,h_192,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/albertwalla_edited.jpg)
Albert Walla
MDQ History and Archives
![Group at Pride parade standing under giant rainbow flag](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d70e09_fc864538568b4a40a0fb93db6b64e1a6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_133,h_75,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/d70e09_fc864538568b4a40a0fb93db6b64e1a6~mv2.jpg)