Finding a community where you feel understood can make a big difference. But people with more than one identity can sometimes face barriers in every community they belong to.
Trans and gender-diverse deafblind people face many barriers. Information and trans-inclusive services may not be available in accessible formats. Communication support can be difficult to arrange.
Queer events are often held at night in dark, crowded or noisy venues, and deafblind people may not have the support they need to attend. This can leave people excluded from both disability spaces and LGBTQIA+ spaces.
Michelle is a deafblind trans person and one of the leaders of QAT: Queer Auslan Together. Steve is a queer deafblind man and an experienced Auslan teacher. We are thrilled to have Steve join the team and support this project!
QAT aims to build a bridge between communities. It creates a welcoming place where LGBTQIA+ deafblind people and allies can meet, share experiences, learn tactile Auslan and develop more accessible ways to communicate.
In the video below, Michelle and Steve introduce themselves and their roles in QAT. They also demonstrate some queer and trans Auslan vocabulary. This online activity can keep you connected until the next in-person event.
Watch Michelle and Steve sign and note any unfamiliar vocab. Do you notice anything different about their signing styles? Michelle has learned Auslan as a totally blind person, and Steve is a low-vision signer. You can also see regional differences, as Michelle is from Victoria and uses the southern dialect of Auslan, and Steve is from Sydney and uses the northern dialect.
In-person QAT activities are planned later in 2026. Please contact DBV if you are interested in attending, supporting the project or learning more about accessible queer community events.