RAD comes to the Nation's Capital
The Capital Metropolitan Rainbow Alliance, Inc. (CMRA) is PROUD to host the 19th Biennial RAD Conference. With Colorful Hands: Working for a Better Tomorrow, we are united and strong – diverse and proud. Washington, DC is the perfect setting for us to unite and work together for a better future for us all.

What is CMRA?
Capital Metropolitan Rainbow Alliance, Inc. is a 501(c)3 certified non-profit organization formed in May 1977, which caters exclusively to the needs and interests of the metropolitan D.C. area Deaf GLBT community. CMRA is affiliated with the Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf (RAD).

What is RAD?
An organization of, by and for Deaf GLBT people since 1977, RAD has about 20 affiliated chapters in the United States and Canada. RAD provides networking, advocacy, education, leadership and biennial conferences.

EVENTS:

The Flamingo Ball
Whether you're a flaming queen or a super butch dyke, this is a party for you! The Flamingo Ball will be the highlight of the conference. We guarantee you a scrumptious feast and fantastic music to dance to. So, come on ... let's paint the city PINK and PURPLE!

Men's Gatherings and Womyn's Gatherings
In a tradition that began with RAD 1997 in Kansas City, MO, we provide separate spaces, one for womyn and other for men one Moonlight night. We also provide a single space for both womyn and men two other Moonlight nights.

The RAD Pageant
Calling all drag queens, kings and all gays and lesbians ... get up on stage and compete in the RAD Pageant. For more information, see www.rad.org.

Ms. / Mr. International Deaf Leather and Leather Boy Contests
Leather men and leather women, come join this exciting contest! Strut your stuff and show your Leather pride! Contact International Deaf Leather for more information on this exciting event!

Mr. Deaf Bear/Cub/Grizzly Contest
This contest is hosted by the International Deaf Bear, formerly known as the Deaf Bears and Cubs Organization. All bears, cubs, and grizzles are encouraged to compete! For more information about entering the contest or obtaining tickets, contact DCBO.

Memorial Quilt Display
A space will be set aside for the Quilt panel display in remembrance of those we have lost in the Deaf community, by breast cancer, AIDS and other terminal illnesses. If interested in adding to the display, please contact the RAD 2005 Conference Committee.

Tours
Optional full-day tours will be provided at an additional charge. More information to come on RAD 2005 website soon.

Workshops and Presentations
We welcome you all to workshops that may relate to our theme: Colorful Hands: Working for a Better Tomorrow. Workshops would embrace the diversity in our community, and foster unity, support and camaraderie. Proposal and workshop forms are in website. Contact Larry Gray, RAD 2005 Workshop Coordinator for more information.

Special Interest Groups
We are providing space for special interest groups such as Black Deaf gays and lesbians, Deaf Gay and Lesbian Senior Citizens (Prime Timers), Leather folks, transgender, GLBT Parents, adoptions, DeafBlind and Youth to discuss, exchange ideas and to foster support.

Exhibit Room
This conference is an excellent opportunity in promoting your business, organization, products, and/or services. Exhibitors will be listed in the program book. Contact Alex Richey,RAD 2005 Exhibit Coordinator for more information. Exhibit rules and contract (application) forms are in website.

Visit the Local Haunts
Washington, DC is full of places to see. Go check out the Smithsonian museums, the Holocaust Museum, and even the new Spy Museum. Visit to the Washington Monument - the view is fabulous. At night, go visit as many of the gay bars in the area as you can. Want to go to a nice place to relax? Go to Green Lantern, Cobalt, HALO, DIK, Omega, Fireplace, and the latest and newest, DeLounge in Wheaton. Prefer Western-type bar? Go to Remington's. Want to dance all night? Go to Apex or Chaos or Nations. Into Leather? Go and see the D.C. Eagle or the Tool Shed. Hung Jury and Phase I are still the places to be if you're a lesbian on the prowl. Contact the RAD 2005 Conference Committee for further information.

Advertising
The program book is a terrific opportunity to market your products and services. Application forms for advertising and sponorship are available at RAD 2005 website.

Combo Ticket Prices (U.S. dollars only)
July 10, 2003 - December 31, 2004 $300.00
Janruary 1, 2005 - June 10, 2005 $325.00
After June 10th, 2005 (Money Order or Cashier's Check's only) $350.00

To be paid in full by personal check (by June 10th, 2005), cashier's check or money order.

Visit Breakdown of the Combo ticket. (Individual Ticket)

Layaway Plan
For those of you in need of financial arrangement, we have a layaway plan that will help you save money for the conference in a timely manner.

First minimum payment is $50.00
Total balance remaining is due on June 10, 2005. No exceptions. After June 10, 2005, NO personal checks will be accepted. Please pay by cashier's check or money order. There will be a $35 service charge for each returned (rejected) check.

Cancellation Policy
There will be no refunds after June 10, 2005. Cancellations must be in writing and postmarked on or before that date. There will be a $50 processing fee for each cancellation. Refunded checks will result in a $25 processing fee.

Host Hotel Information

Grand Hyatt Washington
 at Washington Center
1000 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 USA

Tel: 1-800-233-1234 (voice)
FAX: 1-202-637-4797

For more information, see the hotel's fact sheet (pdf) and also visit the hotel's website at www.hyatt.com.

Guest Room Rates
Single Occupancy: $179.00
Double Occupancy: $179.00
Triple Occupancy: $204.00
Quadruple Occupancy: $229.00
Regency Club: additional $40.00

We encourage you to make reservations soon. To make reservations, attendees should call 1-800-233-1234 or make reservation on-line (Website). To ensure receiving the special convention rates, attendees must identify the group name when making reservations. Please state "RAD" as code word when making reservations. We strongly suggest that reservations be guaranteed by a first night's deposit or by a major credit card. Non-guaranteed reservations will be held until 4:00 pm on the date of arrival.

The "cut off" date is June 16, 2005. Reservation requests received after the cut-off date will be based on availability at the Hotel's prevailing rates and will be credited to the Group's Guest Room Block. Warning: Prices may not be the same.

If you need a roommate at the hotel during the RAD 2005 Conference, you can post your message toCMRAZOOM, DEAFFLASH or RADChapters indicating that you are looking for a roommate.

Coming soon on website:

Flyers & Forms

Contact Information:
CMRA/RAD2005 Host Conference
PO Box 44656
Washington, DC 20026-4656
Chair: Bill Terrell at RAD2005BT@aol.com
Co-Chair: Ricky Drake at RAD2005RD@aol.com
Registration Coordinator: Laurent Baker at LaurentBaker@aol.com

 

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Revised: April 5th, 2005