Queer Quaker Residential Weekend

Who is this open to?

• LGBTQIA+ Quakers,
• Quakers who are questioning their gender identity or sexuality,
• LGBTQIA+ people who haven't come out,
• allies of the LGBTQIA+ community,
• parents of LGBTQIA+ people, and
• anyone seeking an LGBTQIA+ inclusive spiritual community
• While the Gathering Retreat takes place in Britain and is primarily for those who are part of the LGBTQIA+ and ally community in Britain, it is open to residents of any country. International participants are responsible for their own visas, we cannot provide administrative support for visa applications.
• We welcome Quakers, the Quaker-ish, and the Quaker-curious. We also welcome bookings from inter-church and inter-faith guests.

Activities will include:

• Meeting for Worship at the start and end of each day
• discussion groups and reflective activities
• arts and crafts
• games
• opportunities to explore The Hayes' wonderful grounds
• entertainments on Saturday night
• an opportunity to join Quaker Rainbow in discerning plans for its future
• a chance to meet and worship with LGBTQIA+ Quakers from around the country!

Community Agreement:

The Gathering Retreat is run by and for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies. For this reason, there is an expectation that every participant upholds, welcomes, and accepts the gender identity, pronouns, name, and sexual orientation of every other participant. This means accepting information about people you meet as they have told it to you, at face-value, and if they have felt comfortable sharing it.

Intentional exclusive, discriminatory, and/or harmful behaviour will not be tolerated at the Gathering Retreat. If someone is found to have exhibited these behaviours with an intent to cause upset or distress, they may be asked to leave the Gathering Retreat.

Venue Information:

All bedrooms are ensuite and there are accessible, gender-neutral, and gendered toilets available.

While The Hayes is Christian conference centre, the venue does not come under the care of, nor is it aligned to, any particular denomination and has been/is used by many other Quaker groups and events