Rainbow and takatāpui Anglican in the General Synod Te Hīnota Whānui are inviting others to join a churchwide network following their meeting in May 2024. Takatāpui and rainbow Anglicans called the meeting at this year's Hīnota Whānui as a safe space to share thoughts on LGBTQIA+ people's participation and ministry in the Anglican Church.

Diocese of Wellington delegate Etienne Wain said it was good to be together to discuss the experiences of rainbow and takatāpui Anglicans across the Church at Synod.

"We shared a beautiful time of fellowship and whakawhanaungatanga together...and committed to work together in solidarity for our communities as fellow siblings in Christ."

Prof Peter Lineham called for the rainbow caucus from the lectern during the Synod plenary this year, which he believes may be the first time a public invitation was made for LGBTQIA+ members of Te Hīnota to gather during Synod. 

“I saw it as a wise step to ensure that we have thought together about what LGBTQ Anglicans should speak about and work for.” he said.

Frances Brown from the Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki is pleased that Anglicans in gender diverse relationships now can choose to have a church blessing in a number of church communities across Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa and most Tikanga Pākehā Dioceses.

"We haven't achieved equity and equality yet. But the exciting thing about meeting together is providing some momentum, a voice and a safe space for the rainbow community." she said.

For Levi Torrey from Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Upoko-o-Te-Ika, it is important to realise that most people in the Anglican Church are sympathetic, tolerant and open-minded, but there are still experiences of exclusion and harassment that rainbow Christians have in common.

"It's just about being us together and sharing how we experience our lives."

"Also some people don't realise we're here, or how life is different for us. It's about getting everyone outside this rōpu (group) to think of us as whānau(family) and to be there to support in any way."

The General Synod Te Hīnota Whānui Rainbow Caucus hopes to extend the network of fellowship and support for LGBTQIA+ members of the Anglican Church and their allies and welcomes enquiries to join the network through: peter@lineham.co.nz