Wisconsin lawmaker and ally of Deaf community, Jonathan Brostoff, dies at 41
In tragic news for the Wisconsin Deaf community, a former Wisconsin State Assembly representative named Jonathan Brostoff, who was a huge advocate for the Deaf community and their needs, died on November 4. He took his own life.
I did have the opportunity to interview Brostoff in 2019 when he got a lot of attention for refusing to cut his hair for over a year until a sign language interpreting bill passed. The bill eventually passed and many Deaf people cut locks of his hair in a ceremony.
CBS 58 News explained that Brostoff was previously open about experiencing mental illnesses and struggling with suicidal thoughts. Many in Wisconsin are heartbroken.
Here is an interview with Wisconsin Association of the President Lisa Demmon.
[Begin interview]
Lisa Demmon, WAD President: He was involved with many things in the community that includes Deaf, DeafBlind, hard of hearing, interpreting organizations, mental health, and the Jewish community. He was very involved and very supportive. That’s what we will always remember about him.
Alex: He took his own life. That is very tragic. Can you share your thoughts on this?
Lisa: He passed away the day before the election. That’s where it hit us harder. He was a Democrat. The community was very shocked to receive that news. It hurt us a lot because he was a strong ally.
I know there are some who disagree and some who agree. That’s okay to do that. But it’s important to show respect. Support one another no matter who you are. This is where we feel very emotional.
Alex: What impact does his passing have on the Deaf community?
Lisa: It impacts us a lot because he was a strong ally to the Deaf community. Will we ever find a replacement like him? He was involved with mental health. That’s what the Deaf community needs the most. In the legislature, they’ve tried to write bills to get funding but it’s failed twice. I hope that his death will create an impact with the bill passing next spring.
Alex: Can you expand on the bills you proposed?
Lisa: Sure. We tried to expand programs with the Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing communities and other communities to get funding. Our governor Evers tried to pass it too but there have been struggles with financial issues and where we can find the money. We want to make a push to make sure we get the funding so we can start various programs for mental health.
Alex: You all lost an ally within the government. Although he was no longer a representative, he still had a network. That’s irreplaceable.
Lisa: That’s right. It’s hard to find a replacement like him.
Alex: Now that he’s gone, how will the Wisconsin Deaf community honor and remember him?
Lisa: His love for politics and the legislature. That means every spring, we will go to the legislature and try to remember him in our big hearts. We know what he did for us and for the community. Stay strong. Keeping him in our hearts is the most important thing to remember him. We’re trying to fundraise from our community to do something to remember him.
Alex: Thank you so much for your time. Our hearts are with you, the Wisconsin Deaf community, in honor of Jonathan Brostoff. He was a good model of a politician who is an ally of the Deaf community. Thank you.
Lisa: Welcome. I want to add here that if you feel you want to kill yourself, you should call or text 988. Get help. Don’t hide and try to do that, please. Thank you.
Alex: Thank you so much.
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https://www.cbs58.com/news/mayor-johnson-announces-death-of-alderman-jonathan-brostoff
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2288742951453428
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