Creating Sacred Space for Grief at Pride: A Reflection on Community and Healing

Healing Grief Rainbow

This past June, the EdgeWalking Collective had the honor of participating in our local Pride Festival, bringing something unique to the celebration: a space for grief amidst the joy. While Pride is rightfully a time of vibrant celebration, we recognize that many in our community carry profound losses that deserve acknowledgment.

Our booth offered festival-goers an opportunity to express grief in all its forms—whether mourning beloved family members or pets, or grieving the broader pain of watching marginalized communities face ongoing discrimination. In a world where anyone different from white cisgender culture continues to be sidelined, this collective grief feels especially necessary to honor.

The festival atmosphere was genuinely positive and welcoming, filled with incredible music, stunning decorations, and people expressing their authentic selves through amazing outfits. Numerous organizations and companies demonstrated support through their presence, creating a tapestry of allyship and community.

Our banner tagline "Honoring Final Transitions" certainly drew some side-eyes—death isn't exactly typical Pride fare! But those brave enough to venture over discovered activities that helped them process grief they'd been carrying.

The "rainbow bridge" activity, originally intended for children to honor beloved pets, became unexpectedly popular with all ages. Participants wrote names and messages on cloud cutouts, filling our board with love. As we packed up, we discovered someone had quietly placed a cloud on the back with a heartbreaking message to their dad: that they would have been loved, even if they'd come out.

Worry Doll

Adults also gravitated toward our worry doll station, wrapping embroidery thread around clothespins and creating comfort companions to take home.

We have more opportunities for you to engage with the Collective members! You can join us for "Mortal-i-tea"—our monthly 90-minute gathering for connection and reflection around grief, love, and death. We meet in person on Bainbridge Island every second Tuesday, creating space where our shared humanity transcends all forces that seek to divide us. Click here to register and get the details. We would love to see you there! And as always, reach out if you get stuck or need support!

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To connect with our collective: http://edge-walking.com / 206.825.9780 / edgewalking.transitions@gmail.com