YouTube star, pop cultural god, and queer rights activist Tyler Oakley recently teamed up with Nyle Dimarco to patiently teach us how to flirt in bars using American Sign Language (ASL) — a super useful skill for when you're out and do a double take at a hottie who happens to be deaf.
You may remember Dimarco as the winner of America's Next Top Model Cycle 22, and the only deaf contestant ever to compete on the show. He's currently a contest on Season 22 of Dancing With the Stars, as he continues to work as a model, score the occasional acting gig, and cultivate a massive Instagram following. A longtime activist on behalf of the deaf community, Nyle also identified himself as sexually fluid in an interview with Out Magazine.
The video is pretty giggly and sometimes awkward, but it's also a great example of how a communication barrier can be cheerfully overcome, even though it may feel uncomfortable in certain moments. The video itself is helpfully captioned — as much for hearing folks who can't interpret ASL as for deaf folks — and it features Nyle teaching Tyler how to sign a few different phrases, useful for approaching and flirting with someone at a bar.
"Hi, I'm Tyler. What's Your Name?"
"Do You Come Here Often?"
"Can I Buy You a Drink?
"Tell Me a Little About You"
"Can I Have Your Number?"
"Wanna Go Back To My Place?"
Said Nyle of the importance of bringing more accessibility to ~flirt spaces~ in the video:
"Accessibility is important because it is inclusive, which means more people are involved. It makes them feel important. I'm always inspired every time I meet hearing people and find out they know sign language. Our friendship also develops a lot faster. I believe everyone should have access so, that way, they have equal opportunities in everything."
Now that we're equipped with the skills to turn our divey pick-up spots into more accessible spaces for deaf cuties, may I please request a follow-up video teaching us helpful consent establishment phrases using ASL next? I think bedrooms (and kitchens, and living rooms, and bathrooms...) need to be more accessible sexy spaces, too.
You can check out the video in full below.
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Images: Screengrabs /YouTube (7)
