Ever been on a reality series binge with Netflix? Well, in case you haven’t but would like to get started, Deaf U is the show for you!
It gives you a juicy insight into the life of students at Gallaudet University, a private school for the deaf and hard of hearing in Washington, D.C., Deaf U is full of drama! (And it’s the good kind of drama, I promise!)
Honestly, if you’re a part of the hearing world, this show will blow you away with the simple things we take for granted each day, including being able to hold a conversation while cuddling with a partner or while getting a manicure at a nail salon! It’s quite an amazing, inside look into the deaf community. It’s eye-opening while simultaneously entertaining!
But to make it extra special, there is even a bi character named Renate (Rose), and this article will revolve around her! So stay tuned for a whirlwind and watch out ‘cause there are all kinds of spoilers ahead. In case you’re unfamiliar with the Unicorn Scale format, check out the guide here.
One last thing before we move along: I do want to make a brief trigger/content warning as there are some sensitive subjects discussed below. No vivid details are given, but please be advised.
What I Liked:
First off, not only is there a bi character in this show, but there are other queer characters too, including her girlfriend, Tayla, who identifies as a lesbian, and Cameron (Symansky), who’s South Korean and gay. Hooray for representation in a reality TV series!
It’s really hard not to fall in love with Renate. She’s confident, outspoken, bold, and not afraid to be herself! She is vocal about being bi and having an attraction to both the guys and girls at Gallaudet University, (which she says the 700 women on campus are “Just… Wow!” so we’ll take her word for it!) she is in a happy, loving relationship with Tayla, performs some seductive spoken word (or should I say “signed word?”) at a poetry slam, and participates in a women’s march. She’s totally woke, how cool is that!?
Not only is she a charismatic girl on fire, but she is also incredibly strong. The series shows her pursuing therapy for the first time to cope with depression, anxiety, and to become more attuned with her feelings. She reveals that she has PTSD from witnessing her mother survive domestic violence inflicted by her father, causing their marriage to end in divorce when she was five years old and them to stay in a women’s shelter for a period of time.
The therapist helps her find creative, healthy ways to release her anger (i.e., smashing objects!), and she even shares this newfound coping skill with her friend and classmate Cheyenna (Clearbrook). Cheyenna is even moved to open up about her history of molestation in childhood, deepening their friendship, and Renate says that’s she’s proud of her for doing so. What an amazing friend!
Deaf U touches on these sensitive subjects in a way that’s illuminating and relatable, and Renate really is a standup character. It’s refreshing to see a confident woman embrace her sexuality and be in a healthy, loving relationship with another woman, a paradigm we don’t see often enough.
What I Didn’t Like:
Given that the characters featured in this show are real people and not works of fiction, there really isn’t much I can complain about.
Because this is a reality show, it’s important not to conflate it with the real world completely. It’s definitely a good start to showcasing the deaf community, but it shouldn’t be credited as an accurate, all-encompassing depiction alone.
Also, it wouldn’t have hurt to hear the words “bi,” “pan,” or “fluid” used in regards to Renate’s sexual orientation. I never want to put words in someone else’s mouth, and defining one’s own identity is important.
And just to nitpick, I’d actually like to see more of the queer characters focused on. We know that Tayla comes from a conservative, religious family and can’t really be open about her sexuality with her parents. I’d love for more of her life to be explored. And we see Cameron mostly in relation to his friendship with Cheyenna, but I’d love to learn more about his life as well.
The Rating:
Dealing with biphobia, homophobia, ableism, sexism, mental health struggles, domestic violence, and trauma are issues that affect many of us every day. Deaf U was able to touch on all of these difficult subjects in a way that was enlightening and empowering.
We desperately need more real-life examples of bi individuals in the media. Deaf U gave us that, and I’d love to see more shows follow suit.
