Queer as Death Cafe
Event description
What's a Death Cafe?
This is a group-directed discussion around death and dying, where we can bring our questions and share our experiences. Just so you know, this is not a grief or peer support group and we aren't counsellors. Our objective is 'to increase awareness of death to help people make the most of their (finite) lives'.
these are always offered:
- On a not-for-profit basis
- In an accessible, respectful and confidential space
- With no intention of leading people to any conclusion, product or course of action
Queers only?
Allies are welcome to attend with the understanding that our community of focus is intersectional - LGBTIQA+, First Nations, culturally diverse and those who experience disability. Through our events, we seek to identify any unmet needs within our community to direct our advocacy and education work.
How our death cafes roll:
- Meet and greet
- 5min Meditation (participation optional)
- Introduction
- Break into smaller groups for yarning circles
- Half time break
- Return to or swap yarning circles
- Group share
- 5.30/5.45pm Finish
Keeping yourself safe
Our facilitators will introduce themselves at the start of the sharing circle, ie name, pronouns, why they are there and ask you to do the same. DON'T share anything if it feels uncomfortable for you, such as age, sexuality, job, where you live, spiritual beliefs etc.
If you need spaces to specifically talk about your mental health, suicidal ideation or self-harm please see our list of resources
What do we talk about?
Whatever you bring to the group! It's pretty vast here's some things we've spoken about in the past
- Overcoming fears / living in acceptance of our death and the death of others
- Protecting your identity and gender after death.
- Do I really have to write a dam will! or Advanced care directive? Spoiler alert YES
- Cultural differences in death practices and experiences
- Near Death Experiences
- Navigating our grief, queer grief and disenfranchised grief
- Fantasising on the perfect farewell party.
- General bagging out of the patriarchy and the joy of watching its eventual death.
Diversity and equality in our conversations is key for these discussions.