Deaf History Month 2023: April 19th - Jane Lynch: A Trailblazer in the Deaf Community

Jane Lynch is a well-known actress, comedian, and singer, but many people don't know that she is also a trailblazer in the deaf community. Born in 1960, Lynch grew up in Illinois and began acting in high school plays. She went on to attend Illinois State University, where she studied theater and was introduced to sign language through a friend who was deaf. This sparked a passion in Lynch for the deaf community and the language of American Sign Language (ASL).

In 2004, Lynch landed a role in the Broadway production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." The show featured a character who was deaf, and Lynch was determined to learn ASL in order to better portray her character. She began taking intensive classes and quickly fell in love with the language and culture of the deaf community. This experience inspired Lynch to become an advocate for the deaf community and to use her platform as a celebrity to raise awareness and promote inclusivity.

Since then, Lynch has become an ambassador for the National Association of the Deaf and has been involved in numerous projects and initiatives that promote deaf culture and education. She has even been recognized by the deaf community for her contributions, receiving the Creative Achievement Award from the Georgia School for the Deaf in 2011. Jane Lynch is a true inspiration to many and a powerful ally for the deaf community, using her talents and influence to create positive change and promote equality for all.