It is actually very normal for people who are given labels by society to 1) regect that label and 2)create labels amongst themselves. :-o Deafies ARE normal!!! 
I too understand this, I grew up HoH and mainstreamed and started learning some PSE in HS then in College I started going to Deaf events and picked up ASL. Am planning on taking an upper levels ASL course to improve my skills but get by fine now.
Since I started into the Deaf World I started to identify more with Deafies and HoH than I did with Hearing. Growing up I had the label of Hearing Impaired - this means to me BROKEN and I (nor any other D/HoH) is BROKEN and I refuse to use that term any more. I also correct people who do use it.
I agree that the elitist Deafies who look down on others for not being ASL enough need to grow up and smarten up. If you want "your" language of ASL to continue then invite people in don't shut them out. Shut them out and your language and culture will go away just like a kids secret club and handshake does when they grow up.
