CMRA Done It Again! CMRA Broke Many Deaf Rules!

Sadly, Captiol Metropolitian Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf (CMRA) of Washington, DC, done again by NOT really hosting the ideal place for this year's "EYE Party" which excludes the physically-challenged deaf individuals and 20s-30s generation of deaf gays, lebsians, bisexuals and transgenders (GLBTs).

CMRA recently make the formal announcement for hosting the "EYE" Party at the Green Lantern gay bar. The real problem about CMRA's Social Committee for not being inclusive and accessible with their online community, "CMRA Zoom". This committee never bother to set up the forum for anyone to leave any inputs or ideas for where we could host our annual "Eye" Party. I also am on the CMRA's Social Committee to build up the dwindling membership base and recruit new fresh blood for this social deaf local GLBT organization. I never receive any e-discussions for the selection of this year's "EYE" Party. Why an unilateral decision by someone from the CMRA's Social Committee? I already expressed my concerns and thoughts about hosting any CMRA event at the Green Lantern in the past. No accessiblity for physically-challenged (HC) deaf attendees regarding the CMRA's Dingo events.

"Green Lantern" bar is not really a perfect place for hosting the annual "EYE" Party due to the fact that it is predominately gay bar, not "mixed" sexes bar. Deaf Lebsians would feel overwhelmed with the male porn video feedbacks all over the place. The surrounding environment are too dark for DEAF EYES!!! No dance floors for deaf young 20s and 30s GLBTs!! Handful of deaf GLBTs, especially former alcoholics do not feel comfortable about going to the bar settings.

Many deaf GLBT attendees from last year's "EYE" Party told me privately, especially out of town visitors - "Is that all (looking around the place)? "Where is the dance floor?", "Don't I have to buy my own drinks after paying $10 admission? *duh* Some lebsians felt bewildered after seeing some guys in their underwears for the special "free drinks with underwears" night.

Green Lantern's spacious parking space are all gone due to the recent area development in front of the bar.

Hopefully, the CMRA's Social Committee will reconsider the hosting of "EYE" Party somewhere with the dance floor to attract and please the younger deaf GLBT generation and bright environment settings less strained on DEAF EYES.

The annual "EYE" Party ought to be not treated like a fundraising event. The CMRA board along with the inactive organizational status, should find some ways for fundraising events to pay off the remaining debts from the Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf Conference 2005 in Washington, DC.

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)