Restoring the Deaf Club in America

There are very few Deaf Clubs still functioning in America.  Only a few years ago, every big city had at least one Deaf Club.  Deaf Clubs were cultural and social centers for Deaf people located all across America.  Often the Deaf Club was in a downtown building.  Someone would get a liquor license so they could have a private bar for members.  Maybe there was a basement which had activities like pot luck dinners and Bingo games.  Before captioned television the Deaf community would gather at Def Clubs to watch captioned films together, one reel at a time with lots of conversations between each reel.  Before the TTY and videophone Deaf people gathered together at Deaf Clubs to keep in touch and share their news.

The Deaf Club was a place for Deaf workers to gather among themselves, to sign freely without fear of oralist oppressors, and to conduct their own business.  If you needed financial advice then someone would introduce you to  Bob over there because he works at the bank and also Mary, who does everyone's taxes.  Someone would introduce you to her.  If you needed to remodel your kitchen then maybe you would talk with Pat or Chris who have their own construction businesses.  If you wanted to play softball then you could join the Deaf club's tem that plays in the local community league and sometimes plays against other nearby Deaf club teams.  Deaf people were in charge and took care of each other through the social hub of the Deaf Club.

The Deaf Club was HOME for so many Deaf people, CODAs, Interpreters and sign language students.  It was a safe place where any question could be asked, where people took time to understand each other and where the stress of a non-signing work place could disappear as you were surrounded by flying hands.

Technology has replaced much of the features of the deaf club.  You can stay at home and watch captioned movies, chat with Deaf friends on Video phone and join Deaf-related social media.  But Deaf Chats at Starbucks and similar events still draw dozens of Deaf people and major Deaf events bring hundreds and thousands of Deaf people together.

We can have the Deaf Club again.  All you need is a place and a Deaf Anchor.  Here in the St. Petersburg area we have a Deaf-run food truck - Defburger.  It sometimes travels to special events, but every week it operates in Pinellas Park at the Whiskey on Park Bar (6501 Park Blvd, Pinellas Park, FL 33781).  The Whiskey on Park is a fantastic place.  Pool Tables, Darts, multiple TVs and the NFL Sunday Ticket.  One of the managers is fluent in ASL.  Children are allowed on site (but not at the bar) until 8 pm.  With Defburger as a Deaf Anchor, the Whiskey on Park is a Deaf Club just waiting for a few Deaf people to find each other there.

Some people ask "Why not establish similar Deaf Clubs at bars in Clearwater or St. Petersburg?"  The problem is that their city codes are not as friendly to food trucks as Pinellas Park.  Clearwater does not allow food trucks to park overnight in the city limits.  That makes it impossible for any food truck to have a home base in Clearwater.  Similarly, St. Petersburg limits food trucks: they can only operate at the same address two days a week.  Defburger used to be in St. Petersburg until city code enforcers explained this rule.  Pinellas Park does not limit food trucks in this way.  Pinellas Park is also easy to get to from all around Pinellas County.  These are the reasons that Defburger is in Pinelleas Park.

All it takes to create a new Deaf Club is for a couple members of the Deaf community to agree that they want to visit the same place at the same time.  Maybe start with one week night and then Saturdays for special events.  Consider the benefits of restoring Deaf Club socialization without the cost of paying a membership fee.  Chat about it in your social groups and let Defburger know if you want to have special hours or a special event.  Help restore the benefits of having a Deaf Club.