Deadname Funeral - A Celebration of Transition

Join us around a bonfire in the woods for a group ceremony to honour the transitions queer, trans and gender diverse people move through. 

This is a free community ritual to celebrate trans joy and becoming. A space to have your journey of gender discovery and expression witnessed and affirmed among peers. An opportunity to celebrate the expectations and confines of the gender binary that we are releasing. A recognition of your magic.

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This ceremony is for trans, two spirit, nonbinary, genderqueer, and gender diverse folks. Whether you are just realizing you are nonbinary, or you medically transitioned 15 years ago--we need all of our stories in the circle. You don’t need to have changed your name, or consider an old name a “dead name” to be welcome here. Allies and cis loved ones are welcome to attend in a supportive role. Designed for an adult audience. 
The ceremony will include a combination of reflecting on your journey thus far and giving gratitude to those who have supported you along the way. Then you’ll be guided through a group process of constructing a sculpture to be burned in the fire--a meditation on the destruction and creation cycle that is part of stepping more fully into who you are. All participation is optional. 
Hosted at the Guelph Outdoor School, Ridge site, at 588 Stone Rd E, Guelph, on Friday, October 13, 2023 from 7pm to 9pm. Larger parking lot is located at 733 Stone Rd E, and volunteers will walk you the 5 minutes along a grassy path to the site. Limited parking is available directly at the site address of 588 Stone Rd E--please prioritize parking for those with accessibility needs. Ride shares are available, email event hosts if you need a ride. Porta potty washrooms are available. The site is an approximately 2 minute walk from the parking lot, on a mostly flat forest floor, navigating between trees. Seating is on wood rounds, or bring your own chair or cushions. Event is outdoors, rain or shine, so please dress for the weather (tarps and tents will protect us if it’s raining). Please arrive by 6:45pm ahead of starting at 7pm. Ceremony goes until approximately 8:30pm, with time to socialize and roast marshmallows (vegan or non-vegan) afterwards. If you have any suspected COVID symptoms, or have tested positive in the last 10 days prior to the event, please stay home as a way to keep everyone as safe as possible. This is a mask positive space. 
We’re looking for volunteers to help with set-up from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, and clean-up from 9pm to 9:30pm. Contact event hosts if you’re available to volunteer. 
Please RSVP to the free event via Eventbrite so we can get an idea of numbers. 
Organized and facilitated in collaboration between ARCH and Woven Threads. HIV/AIDS Resources and Community Health (ARCH) provides programs, services, education and support to people living with, affected by, and at risk of, HIV and AIDS in Guelph, Wellington County, Dufferin, Grey and Bruce Counties. ARCH is home to a Transgender Health Care clinic and peer support services (archguelph.ca). Chris Lafazanos (she/they) is a queer, nonbinary Ceremony Guide with Woven Threads - Handcrafted Ceremonies (woven-threads.ca). Contact [email protected] or [email protected] with questions, or to volunteer.