Spencer Wood Ceremonies

What do you offer?

I create and perform a range of bespoke ceremonies, each one full of heart, pride and poetry. As a published poet and theatre maker, I will imbue your ceremony with magic and reverence; from Weddings and Vow Renewals, to Farewells and Naming Ceremonies - if you've got a story to tell, I'd love to help you write it.

Why do you want to work with the LGBTQ+ community

As a proud queer man I want to create bold, authentic and heart-warming ceremonies for people who grew up feeling like they were on the outside, looking in.

When I was at school, Section 28 was in full force and that meant growing up thinking happy gay and queer couples didn't exist, that love and companionship were things for everyone else and not for me. It took a long time to learn that wasn't true, but it's why I'm now so passionate about celebrating the love LGBTQ+ people have for each other, in all its glorious and persevering forms. I think it's important for a celebrant who is working with LGBTQ+ people to know the defiance, care and courage it takes, to not only live authentically, but to openly celebrate ourselves.

Allyship

A lot of my work is with and for the LGBTQ+ community. I created and delivered an LGBTQ+ Drama group for Leeds LGBTQ+ Consortium, which aimed to reduce social exclusion within the community by offering free activities mid-week.

Alongside my role as Curriculum Leader at an inner-city Sixth Form college, I implemented several inclusive initiatives, including creating all-gender toilets, organising cross-college Pride events and staging an LGBTQ+ play with an entirely LGBTQ+ cast at Soho Theatre as part of the National Theatre Connections programme.

I currently facilitate group sessions within criminal justice settings across the North, where I advocate for LGBTQ+ representation and education around inclusive practice.