Northwest Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf (NWRAD) established on July 25, 1981. It all began with Daniel Mansfield of Seattle, WA. He attended his first gay convention for the Deaf in San Francisco, CA in June of 1981. He enjoyed it so much that he decided to establish a chapter in the Pacific Northwest.

Left to Right: Tim Amundson, Daniel Mansfeld, Steve Niven

Daniel contacted and invited Deaf gay and lesbians from Oregon and Washington states, and British Columbia (Canada) to his beach cabin at LaConner, Washington, the weekend of 25 July of 1981. Twenty-five people came and had a lot of fun. Northwest Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf was born and new officers were elected. The first officers of NWRAD were Daniel Mansfield, President; Tim Amundson of Portland, Oregon, Vice-President; and Steve Niven of Vancouver, British Columbia, Secretary-Treasurer.

NWRAD had been representing members from Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada), Washington and Oregon. The membership grew and grew. Vancouver, BC formed their chapter called British Columbia Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf (BCRAD) effective April 2000.

Business meeting are held quarterly rotating between two major metropolitans: Portland, Oregon - Vancouver, Washington and Seattle, Washington. Educational workshop and a social event are held at each business meeting. Newsletters are submitted every 6 months with special summer edition. Email list for e-group announcements was established to keep members and friends informed of various events in the Pacific Northwest.

NWRAD is a non-profit voluntary organization. If you wish to join as a member and/or make a contribution, please fill out a MEMBERSHIP FORM ».

If you wish to sign up for the NWRAD e-group announcement (it's FREE), you can visit the website - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NWRAD/join. If you are new to Yahoo, sign up to join. Or you can email the moderators - Casey at wyder@harbornet.com to put your name and email address on the list.