About Hands On ASL!

Recently edited as of Jan. 3, 2024: Hands On ASL was first founded in 2007 by Michelle Bourgeois, a Deaf disabled queer activist, program director and instructor. Hands On ASL! runs ASL classes and queer & trans ASL retreats for the 2SLGBTTIQA communities in the GTA. Hands On ASL! is a proud supporter of the Ontario Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf. The goal is to provide safer spaces for learning American Sign Language. There’s also a strong need to form a bridge between Deaf and hearing 2SLGBTTIQA communities.

A little interesting tidbit of history, Hands On ASL has been around for a little while but it wasn’t until 2011 when a queer couple approached and asked for a class for their circle of friends who were also queer. It was then Hands On ASL! decided to approach ORAD and suggest that we organize ASL classes for the queer & trans communities. The idea is not new, classes have been offered often through the 519 by individuals of the Deaf queer & trans community. Today, we are working hard to offer as many classes as we physically can with the limited resources we have. We’re loving the support and the interest from the queer & trans communities.

This website will serve to provide you the information you need to know about upcoming ASL classes and retreats!

We hire Deaf queer and trans instructors to teach in safe spaces that are free or sponsored by organizations who are supportive of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing 2SLGBTTIQA communities. Hands On ASL! is grateful to all the instructors, program assistants and spaces for helping make these classes possible through the years.

Hands On ASL! also provides specialty courses and workshops (pending resource availability).

Keep us in your News Feed for new developments with Hands On ASL!