Epistle from the Quaker Voluntary Action and Quaker Rainbow Gathering Retreat, for LGBTQIA+ Quakers and their allies

We listened with tender hearts and open minds to each other’s stories.'

by Signed in and on behalf of the community at this weekend, Kit King (QVA coordinator) and Juno Lee (Quaker Rainbow coordinator). 24th July 2026

‘From 26 to 28 June 2026, 36 Friends and 3 Facilitators gathered at The Hayes, Derbyshire for a Gathering Retreat for LGBTQIA+ Quakers and allies, and 3 Friends joined online for hybrid business sessions. This event was run as a partnership between Quaker Voluntary Action and Quaker Rainbow and aimed to build community, explore spirituality through a queer lens, and discern the future of the LGBTQIA+ Quaker community. The event was planned by a joint team of QVA and Quaker Rainbow members consisting of Kit King, QVA’s Coordinator, and Juno Lee, John Bracegirdle, and Kes Ward, Quaker Rainbow’s Residential Planning Group.