LGBTQIA+

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Hi, I’m Jo . Apart from being Chair of WAY I'm part of our LGBTQIA+ community and work with the many members, staff and volunteers to help make WAY the amazingly inclusive and supportive group it is, whoever you are. 

Our many and varied LGBTQIA+ members provide amazing levels of support to each other through all the channels avail to our members. From chats to subgroups to meet ups and events. 

WAY supports anyone aged 50 or less when they lose a loved one. When my wife died in April 2017 I was devastated and didn’t know where to turn for support. I discovered WAY and met a community of wonderful people, some married, some not, some with kids, some not, from all walks of life, cultures and sexual orientations. It took me strength to join but it’s the best club that nobody wants to belong to. When you find yourself in our situation it’s the best place to be.

Peer to peer support brings empathy and understanding, people you can talk to that truly get what you're going through and a group of like-minded people that are there for you every step of the way. 

Read on to learn more about what WAY can bring, to help you in what is the most difficult of times.

What Next?

WAY’s LGBTQ+ community is wide and varied. With over 500 of our 4500 members identifying as LGBTQIA+ you’ll find a host of members that are going through the same as you.  

There are many examples of what WAY is doing to support its LGBTQ+ Members:

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• Suzanne shares her story of being widowed and then finding support with grief through the WAY LGBTQIA+ community.
• WAY Ambassador Maria Margetts writes about what Pride means to her.
• Jonathan volunteers as a co-chair of WAY's Diversity working group. Read his story.
• LGBTQIA+ private group (Members only)
• WAY member Katie tells us how writing became an outlet for her grief when her wife died.
• Andrew shares his story of the love for his partner Jerry and coming out to Jerry's family just before his death.
• Lisa and other WAY members share their stories for Pride month.
• WAY members attend Pride events to fly the WAY flag and raise awareness
• Griffyn volunteers as a member of our LGBTQIA+ Diversity Working Group. Read Griffyn's story.
• Read more about marking Bisexual Visibility Day

We’d love you to join WAY and take advantage of the support we offer. However if you need to reflect a bit more beforehand please feel free to review these resources or to ask any questions you may have.

You can also find us on public social media:

Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter)

Joining WAY

When you join WAY you’ll have access to a community of other widowed people who understand what you are going through. We also have a group specifically for our LGBTQIA+ community.

"The LGBTQ+ group is a little glittery place of fabulousness filled with people who are looking after each other and shouting out for each other."

WAY member Suzanne

As well as our LGBTQIA+ group, you will also have access to the following benefits:

• Access to a community of other widowed people who understand what you're going through.
• A wide range of peer-to-peer support groups that are unique for many different types of loss, interests and spiritualities.       
• Access to events organised across the UK, including social events, meals out and weekends away. 
• 24/7, 365 days a year telephone confidential support line run by fully-trained counsellors and support specialists, which includes access to counselling, legal support, financial advice and health advice.       
• Financial support for those who need help with membership costs     
• Helpful resources to help you understand your loss.
• One year subscription to our members’ magazine and updates by email and on the members only website.
• Network of volunteers who have all been widowed themselves, so they understand how it feels.

We are sorry you or a loved one needs to be here, but we all understand how difficult these times can be and we’re here for when you are ready.