The first ever meeting of a new LGBT+ youth group in Granard is to take place this week.
The group will be open to teenagers from 14 to 19 years of age and the meeting this week will be held at the Lus Na Greine Youth hub in Granard.
The aim is to offer a safe, confidential, and supportive place for the teenagers to explore their identity and meet fellow LGBT+ young people.
Christina Fitzharris from the Midlands LGBT project based in Laois says they were very happy to be asked to help in setting up the Granard group, because a lot of young people in the midlands feel they've no option but to go to the bigger cities to find support.
She's encouraging young LGBT people to come to the meeting in Granard on Thursday evening between 5 and 6pm, but she says people can also find out more over the phone or online if they're unsure about attending…
'These things are hard to rock up to, especially by yourself.
So don't worry if you don't come along to the first one, there's always time.
You can look at their social media on Granard LGBT on Facebook and Instagram and send them a message and ask what it's about.
You can talk to them before you come along, or ask could them to meet you outside if you're nervous.
So Just don't be afraid. If you want to come along, don't be afraid to do it, everyone else is in the same situation as you are.'
