ABOUT
This was built because something was missing.
For the storms people survive quietly.
Our founder
He became the person he once needed.
Our founder is a survivor of sexual assault and domestic violence, and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. He comes from healthcare and behavioral health, and he knows what it is to sit on both sides of the desk.
When he needed protection most, he was set up by a travel nurse and her husband, a police officer who was later promoted to detective. He learned early how quickly a system can close ranks around the wrong person, and how alone that leaves you.
He went on to live in more than one shelter for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Very few were built for men. Fewer still were safe for LGBTQ+ people. In places that said they welcomed people of every gender and identity, he met bullying and homophobic remarks, and found himself the outsider in rooms that were meant to be safe.
He could have stopped at telling what happened to him. He chose to change how it ends for the next person. He returned to healthcare to help the people who needed it, and built Griefyard Works so that men and LGBTQ+ survivors are never the exception to the welcome.
His goal is to break the stigma that tells men and LGBTQ+ people their pain does not count, and to make sure that whoever reaches out next finds a door that was built with them in mind.
The beginning
Society spent generations teaching men a dangerous vocabulary. Be strong. Don't cry. Handle it yourself. Don't tell anyone. Those messages have consequences, and many men still struggle to describe themselves as survivors at all. Griefyard Works exists to help people who are hurting, and to change the culture that taught so many men they were never allowed to hurt in the first place.
Built by someone who has stood on both sides of help
Griefyard Works was founded and is run by a survivor and healthcare professional with lived experience within the LGBTQ+ community. There is knowledge that comes from education, knowledge that comes from working inside systems, and knowledge that only comes from once needing those systems yourself. This work was created where those meet.
Why men
Men can experience sexual assault, domestic violence, exploitation, grief, depression and suicidal distress, and many still struggle to describe themselves as survivors at all. Not by positioning men against women. Not by diminishing anyone else. By making clear that men can be hurt too, and that asking for help does not make anyone less of a man.
Why LGBTQ+
Gay, bisexual, trans and queer men, nonbinary people, and everyone whose life intersects with ours belong here. Nobody has to divide themselves into acceptable pieces before receiving help.
Why worldwide
The need is larger than geography. Survivors exist in every country, culture, profession, income and identity. We work digitally, and connect people with services in their own country when we cannot provide them. Griefyard Works does not publish its operational location. We serve people worldwide.
What we will never pretend
That we can personally provide every service in every country. That would be irresponsible. Every page says clearly what Griefyard Works provides directly, and what we help you find through others.
OUR VOICE
A person first. Always.
We do not say
- We know what's best for you.
- We will save you.
- Just be strong.
- Victim. Patient. Case. Diagnosis. Referral. Statistic.
We say
- Here are your options.
- You do not have to navigate this alone.
- Strength can also look like asking for help.
- A person, first.