Review: Netflix’s Queer Eye team’s visit to the Louisiana School for the Deaf (BSL)

Back in 2022, I stumbled upon the popular Queer Eye series on Netflix. At the time, I was in the middle of a move and found this series to be a great way to relieve stress and quickly became a huge fan.

For those unfamiliar with Queer Eye, the series follows the “Fabulous Five” advisors (Jonathan, Bobby, Karamo, Tan, and Antoni), with each episode focusing on a specific person and creating a series of surprising… We are following you as you carry out your transformation. ‘need. ‘Transformation includes not only clothes, hair, and beauty, but also diet, living space, and the way you think.

This is a truly feel-good series that advocates self-love and self-acceptance regardless of sexuality, background, or situation. So imagine my joy when I recently discovered that in one episode of her latest series, Queer Eye, her team worked with deaf American Sign Language users from the Louisiana School for the Deaf. .

I’m usually skeptical when mainstream shows feature deaf people, but the Queer Eye team did not disappoint.

As soon as the episode begins, the Fab Five are seen practicing ASL while driving to meet Denton, the deaf sports coach and director of athletics at the Louisiana School for the Deaf (LSD). .

The group gave Denton big smiles, hugs and greeted him in basic ASL before checking out his workspace and meeting the deaf soccer team he works with. It has been revealed that, like in the UK, the number of schools for the deaf in the US is decreasing. Denton explained that a few years ago the school had about 300 students, but now there are only 90 students.

Denton explains why, in the United States, when deaf children are born to hearing parents, they are often encouraged to attend mainstream schools and use hearing aids or cochlear implants. He explained that learning sign language is not encouraged.

But Denton told Fab Five that he personally found his deaf identity, confidence and passion for sports at the school for the deaf. The team quickly understood Mr. Denton’s passion for supporting the Deaf community and deaf students, and Bobby said, “Although this community may be dwindling in numbers, it still deserves attention, respect, and celebration.” It’s worth it.” I agree.

Denton admitted that his role model in life was his father, who became a sports coach to ensure his deaf son didn’t miss anything when learning sports while growing up. Denton’s parents also learned him to be fluent in ASL, which was not common for hearing families at the time.

Denton expressed tremendous gratitude to his father, but after speaking with Karamo, he wondered how Karamo felt about the immense pressure that Denton, the only deaf role model for many of his football students, often felt. I can see how you accepted it.

The Queer Eye team gave LSD’s sports facility a super cool makeover and updated Denton’s office and wardrobe, but what was so impactful to watch was Denton’s dedication to the deaf community. It was a recognition of my efforts.

Karamo tells Denton that he cannot carry the weight of potentially closing the school for the deaf on his own. He also asserted that Denton’s commitment to his students is a testament to who he is and also shows the great influence his own father had on him. Karamo gives Denton a poignant sign: “He needs to trust himself.”

There was also an incredibly touching part when Denton decided to give Jonathan his own signature name after getting a haircut and transformation from Jonathan. Denton details how the signature name was created, and you can see Jonathan move to tears when Denton accurately encapsulates Jonathan’s quirks, passions, and mannerisms all in his one signature. .

There were also plenty of laughs and emotional cheers throughout the episode as the team signed phrases ranging from “Believe in yourself” to “You queen!” The animated slides in this episode (which usually have English quotes) have also been replaced with signatures, which I thought was really beautiful.

The entire episode sees the team interact directly, confidently, and openly with Denton and other sign language users at the school, demonstrating how society embraces and celebrates not only Deaf culture but also sign language. It was a great example of what can be done.

At the end of the episode, we learned how the team worked with a series of sign language interpreters to ensure communication was always flowing smoothly. The confidence Denton had in his entire crew and cast, and indeed throughout the episode, showed that with the right access, people can truly blossom.

We encourage you to check out episodes of series 8 of Queer Eye for yourself, currently available on Netflix. enjoy!

Written by Rebecca A. Withey