There is a new group in Carman aimed at supporting LGBTQ people and their allies. The Alphabet People is being billed as a safe and welcoming place of community and friendships, as well as inclusiveness of all identities and orientations. It's being hosted by the Carman United Church, and group Coordinator Liam Cummins says the idea started about one month ago.

"We've just recently been able to finally put all the pieces together with our congregational support and everything, so we're very pleased to be hosting our first meeting this coming Tuesday."

Cummins, who is working as an intern at the Church this summer, says the idea for The Alphabet People came out of his personal passion for LGBTQ issues in relation to faith communities.

"I had always been very involved with my faith communities, and my faith communities had already been LGBTQ inclusive, but most of my friends who I met in high school, many of whom were LGBTQ, had never experienced that with a faith community, that faith communities could be inclusive of their identities and orientations."

He says this is where his passion grew.

"To make it known and to make it actively out there that there are faith communities (that are) welcoming of LGBTQ people without any expectation of their allegiance to the Church, or without any expectation of their confidence in their identity, or their lack of confidence in their identity."

Cummins feels this is a very important service for the Carman United Church to offer, to provide a safe space for a person's identity and orientation.

"This isn't making an allowance, this is broadcasting our welcome...our acceptance and our encouragement."

Meantime, Cummins says you don't have to be LGBTQ in order to be part of the group, and explains that The Alphabet People is styled after gay-straight and queer-straight alliances.

"One-third of the letters in there are for LGBTQ allies, people that do not have an LGBTQ identity but still feel that is an important aspect of humanity and of community to support. There is no expectation if you come to The Alphabet People, or if you want to support The Alphabet People you are going to be LGBTQ, it is simply you are welcoming and open and you want to experience this safe space where people can be whoever they are."

He hopes gatherings of The Alphabet People will become a weekly occurance, but says the first meeting happening on Tuesday will be a chance to learn what the community is looking for in a safe space.