Gothamist
Some young LGBTQ+ adults are grieving people who never fully knew or accepted them. Often, there’s the isolation of being the first person among their peer group to lose a parent, meaning they're less likely to have support from friends.
That's why dozens of New Yorkers attend a “Death of the Party” event every few months. Moderated by Melanie Wilson, 31, these are gatherings – often held at funeral homes or cemeteries – where queer folks and their allies can mourn and process their lost loved ones in a space where they feel seen and understood.
Get Griefy
In life, sometimes you show up in places or spaces with the presumption of "Here is the life of the party." What if it were different? What if you were the "death of the party?" Meet Melanie. She is the host of an event series, turned community called Death of the Party.
The inspiration for this came from Melanie's personal experiences, particularly her journey through grief. One significant influence was her dad, who taught her that love transcends all boundaries. Since then, she has actively sought friendships with those who understand and share her experiences with loss.
Grief Sense
Melanie and [Mimi Gonzalez] discuss how critical it is to have a community when facing grief, something that’s often overlooked in our day-to-day environments, especially at work. We also discuss what workplaces can do to better support employees when this happens.
Melanie shares insights from her own journey of loss, highlighting how the pandemic has reshaped our need for connection and the unique role that online platforms and in person events can play in bridging the gap.