Deaf Queer Men Only (DQMO) was established in 2008 at its inaugunal event in San Franisco, California. Inspired by the Deaf Lesbian Festival, eight Deaf queer men–Dan Baer, Jim Brune, Daniel Girard, Todd Higgins, Brian Martinez, Ken Mikos, David Weiss, and Butch Zein—organized the first DQMO.

DQMO is a bianniel event that has been held eight times across six cities and three countires so far. Now, it comes to the Twin Cities of Minnesota next year in 2026. It is a social gathering of Deaf queer men.

The Mission of DQMO is to: "provide a nurturing space for multicultural Deaf queer men to gather, build networks, share emotional support, and expand knowledge about civil rights, health, leadership and multicultural identities."

Meet the 2026 Team

Andrew Bjarnvold

White man with short dark hair, glasses, and beard, in striped shirt, smiling on sunny street with red-and-white flags.

Visual Description

White man with short dark hair, glasses, and beard, in striped shirt, smiling on sunny street with red-and-white flags.

A white man is standing outdoors on a cobblestone street in a charming town setting. He has short, dark hair, wears rectangular glasses, and has a full beard. He is smiling warmly at the camera and dressed casually in a light gray and white striped shirt. Above the street, strings of red-and-white flags are hung across the buildings, adding a festive atmosphere. The background features rows of traditional European-style buildings with red-tiled roofs, white-framed windows, and storefronts. The bright blue sky and sunny light give the photo a cheerful, summery feel, highlighting both the man’s friendly presence and the lively street scene.

He/Him | Program/Bid Coordinator

Andrew is Deaf and sighted. He grew up in St. Cloud and now lives in St. Paul. A self-described jack of all trades (except car maintenance), he enjoys staying active in the theatre community as both an actor and a director. In his free time, Andrew finds joy in creative projects, collaboration, and sharing stories on stage.

Heath Focken

White man with light brown hair and beard smiling outdoors with greenery and mountains in the background.

Visual Description

White man with light brown hair and beard smiling outdoors with greenery and mountains in the background.

A white man with light brown hair, trimmed short on the sides and slightly longer on top, styled casually forward. His beard and mustache are neatly trimme . He is showing warm brown eyes. His expression is friendly and relaxed, with a wide smile that reveals his teeth. He is dressed in a black hoodie with retro ThinkSelf logo. The photo is framed in a Polaroid style and set outdoors with a softly blurred leafy green mountain background.

He/They | Project Manager

Heath is Deaf and sighted. He is an animal lover who cares for a deaf dog, two cats, and a tank full of fish. Originally from Nebraska, he moved to Minnesota in 2022 and enjoys exploring nature and growing vegetables. Heath is also known for his amazing cooking skills, especially his homemade Runzas.

Jack Williams

White man in black cap and coral tank top smiling by rocky shoreline under a cloudy sky.

Visual Description

White man in black cap and coral tank top smiling by rocky shoreline under a cloudy sky.

A white man with short brown hair and a salt-and-pepper beard is smiling at the camera. He has a light tan complexion and fine lines around his eyes that show when he smiles. His beard is neatly trimmed, showing flecks of gray mixed with brown. He is wearing a black baseball cap with a white geometric logo on the front and a coral-colored tank top. The background shows a rocky shoreline with blurred water and a partly cloudy sky, creating a calm outdoor scene.

He/Him | Hospitalty

Jack is Deaf and sighted. He is a proud uncle of 12, cat dad to two spoiled pets, and a lover of the outdoors. Born in Minnesota and educated in New York, he enjoys gardening, camping, and cooking. Jack is always up for adventure and can never say no to a crème-filled donut.

José Magallanes

Latino man with trimmed beard and mustache, beige cap with rooster patch, white mesh tank, silver chain, outdoors at night.

Visual Description

Latino man with trimmed beard and mustache, beige cap with rooster patch, white mesh tank, silver chain, outdoors at night.

A Latino man is the subject of this nighttime outdoor photo. He has a neatly trimmed beard and mustache, dark eyebrows, and a calm, slightly serious expression. He is wearing a beige baseball cap featuring a patch with a black rooster and the word “COCK” above it. His outfit includes a white mesh tank top and a silver chain necklace that glints under the lights. He also has small stud earrings in both ears and a visible tattoo on his upper arm. The background shows softly lit buildings with arched windows, trees, and patio umbrellas, giving the setting a relaxed, warm evening atmosphere.

He/Him | Entertainment

José is Deaf and sighted. Raised in Chicago, he moved to Minnesota in 2012. He has worked at Banana Republic for nearly 20 years and enjoys travel, dance, walking, baseball, and movies. José loves cooking Mexican food and is proud to share joy and energy within the Deaf community.

Patrick Vellia

White man in black chef’s uniform and hat, standing with arms crossed and smiling slightly.

Visual Description

White man in black chef’s uniform and hat, standing with arms crossed and smiling slightly.

A white man is pictured against a plain background, dressed in a professional black chef’s outfit. He wears a black chef’s coat and apron, along with a matching black chef’s hat. His arms are crossed comfortably across his chest, and he has a subtle, confident smile. His expression conveys a sense of ease and professionalism. The solid white background keeps all focus on him, giving the portrait a clean and polished appearance, suitable for a culinary or promotional setting.

He/Him | Website & A11y

Patrick is DeafBlind. He is a professional chef by day and a web developer by night. A former triathlete, he graduated from Gardner-Webb University with a degree in American Sign Language and a minor in Business Administration. Patrick brings creativity and dedication to everything he does.

Reed Kutney

Native American man with short dark hair, blue eyes, nose piercing, in black shirt, smiling before artwork with colorful hand signs.

Visual Description

Native American man with short dark hair, blue eyes, nose piercing, in black shirt, smiling before artwork with colorful hand signs.

A Native American man is shown in close-up, filling the frame with his face. He has short, neatly styled dark hair and striking blue eyes. A small nose stud is visible on the left side of his nose. His expression is calm with a faint, friendly smile. He is wearing a simple black shirt. Behind him on the wall is framed artwork depicting a series of hands in different colors — blue, green, yellow, orange, and red — each forming a handshape, creating a vibrant and expressive backdrop that contrasts with his more neutral clothing. The lighting is bright and even, clearly illuminating his features and the background details.

He/Him | TBD

Reed is Deaf and sighted. He grew up in Minneapolis and enjoys the energy of city life. With Native American and white heritage, he values connection and culture. Reed has worked at Macy’s for 12 years and enjoys hiking, biking, and good conversations with friends.

Rocky Boyd

White man with full dark beard, cap, and white shirt with sunglasses clipped on, smiling outdoors in grassy landscape.

Visual Description

White man with full dark beard, cap, and white shirt with sunglasses clipped on, smiling outdoors in grassy landscape.

A white man is pictured outdoors in a natural setting, with trees and a partly cloudy sky in the background. He has a full, dark brown beard and mustache, with short hair mostly hidden under a maroon-and-gray baseball cap. His expression is cheerful, with wide eyes and a slightly playful smile. He is wearing a plain white T-shirt, and a pair of reflective sunglasses are clipped to the collar, showing a mirrored image of the sky and clouds above. The photo captures a bright, fresh outdoor atmosphere, giving the portrait a warm and relaxed feel.

He/Him | Graphic Design

Rocky is Deaf and sighted. Born and raised in Iowa, he is the only Deaf person in his family and is proud to be openly gay. He enjoys outdoor activities year-round, games, anime, food, and movies. Since moving to the Twin Cities in 2022, he has met many amazing people and is excited for more adventures ahead.

Tim Riker

White man with short red hair and beard, smiling in a navy shirt outdoors near a tree and parked car.

Visual Description

White man with short red hair and beard, smiling in a navy shirt outdoors near a tree and parked car.

A white man with short red hair, closely trimmed on the sides and slightly longer on top, styled casually forward. He has a full red beard and mustache with subtle golden tones. His blue eyes are visible and bright, and his expression is cheerful, with a wide smile that shows his teeth. He is dressed in a navy-blue textured short-sleeve shirt. The photo is cropped Polaroid-style, showing him seated outdoors on a sunny day. In the softly blurred background, there is a large tree trunk, a silver car, and tan houses with siding, as well as a person walking away in casual clothes. The overall mood is warm, casual, and welcoming.

He/Him | Public Relations

Tim is Deaf and sighted. Born in Maryland near Washington, D.C., he now calls Minnesota home. He enjoys biking, exploring art and parks, and walking his dachshund dogs around the lakes. Tim has a passion for plant-based cooking, making great coffee, and living an eco-friendly lifestyle.

Troy Mezera

White man with gray mustache and goatee, glasses, dark cap, and light blue shirt sitting in stadium seats.

Visual Description

White man with gray mustache and goatee, glasses, dark cap, and light blue shirt sitting in stadium seats.

A white man is seated in stadium bleachers, likely at a sporting event. He has a gray mustache and goatee, with short gray hair peeking out from under a dark baseball cap that features a gold logo. He is wearing large rectangular glasses, a light blue T-shirt, and a black face mask pulled down under his chin. His expression is neutral as he looks directly at the camera for the photo. Behind him, another man in sunglasses, a beige cap, and a dark shirt is visible, along with rows of stadium seating filled with other spectators. The bright daylight and open structure suggest an outdoor venue, adding to the casual, relaxed atmosphere of the image.

He/Him | A117/Fundraising/Budget

Troy is DeafBlind. He grew up in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and now lives in Minneapolis. He is a proud Green Bay Packers shareholder and a fan of the Milwaukee Brewers. Troy loves traveling, watching sports, and giving back through volunteer committee work.

Read More on Wikipedia

There is a Wikipedia page that is maintained to chronicle the history of Deaf Queer Men Only.