A septuagenarian solicitor has announced plans to set up a new support group for LGBT people within the Church of Ireland (CoI).

Retired solicitor Colin Flinn (70), told The Irish Times that he was “exploring the possibility of setting up a support network for LGB&T people over 18 years of age who wish to see the Presbyterian Church in Ireland providing welcome, safety and inclusion.”

Flinn said he was inspired by groups like Changing Attitude Ireland, a Belfast-based network of LGBTs “working for the full affirmation of lesbian and gay persons within the Churches in Ireland…dedicated to celebrating and maintaining the traditional inclusivity and diversity of the Anglican Communion.”

Groups like CAI, provide a “safe space” says Flinn, somewhere “to have those conversations surrounding the subject of sexuality and gender diversity which might be difficult in other places. I would envisage something similar for Irish Presbyterians,” he said.

Flinn also told the IT that people growing up in faith communities have a reasonable right to expect that if their life goes off at a tangent “they will continue to receive the support and fellowship of their fellow religionists .”

Interested Presbyterians can contact Flinn in confidence at [email protected].