What we’re about
Calgary Outlink Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity runs a number of community groups for 2SLGBTQ+ community members and allies. These groups are a great way to meet others in the 2SLGBTQ+ community, enjoy good conversation, make new friends, support one another, and build our community.
We are currently holding a mix of online and in-person meetings. Please see our event schedule to see when each will happen.
Please note that our Safer Spaces Policy applies to all of our spaces, including any interactions that happen on our Meetup page and between any of our followers. Please be respectful in your interactions, and respect any boundaries that folks have around communication outside of our group meetings. Our groups and events are spaces for peer connection and are not dating spaces.
Outlink operates on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, Districts 5 & 6 of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of Alberta , and nations that were displaced or not represented during the Treaty 7 signing. Visit our website to view our full land acknowledgement.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Grabba Java (Downtown)Element Cafe, Calgary, AB
Looking for a friendly check-in with your community? Grab a cup of tea and join us from wherever you are as we share in each other's company! This is a safe space for anyone who identifies as an 2SLGBTQ+ community member or ally.
This is an in-person meeting! We will be meeting at Element Café.
The front entrance is wheelchair accessible. There are two gender-neutral washrooms in the café. Nearby LRT stations include 3rd Street and Victoria Park Stations. Nearby bus routes include 3, 6, 7, 17, and 449.
We will have a few drink vouchers available to cover the cost of one drink if needed!
Please note that this meeting is moderated by Outlink staff/volunteers who reserve the right to remove anyone from the group who is in violation of our Safer Space Ground Rules.
If you'd like to take any pictures of the room or the group, please ask facilitators and participants first.
This meetup is intended as a space for casual connection, reminding us that we do not need to be socially distant even while practicing physical distancing. This is not a structured therapy group nor is it a dating space. If you are looking for further support, Outlink staff are available to meet with you one-on-one or in small groups by phone, text based messaging, or video call upon request. They can also help connect you to other counselling services.
Public Health Safety Precautions:
Public health and the safety of our communities is very important to us! The following safety practices are put in place for our in-person programming:- Wearing a mask is strongly encouraged when not eating or drinking.
- If you have any cold, flu, or Covid symptoms (ex. fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose), we ask that you please do not attend.
- Colleqtive (In-person)CommunityWise Resource Centre, Calgary, AB
Colleqtive is a community group for racialized 2SLGBTQ+ community members. This includes community members who are Black, Indigenous, and people of colour. This group is a closed space, only for those who the group is intended for. Join us in a colleqtive community space together!
We will be now be meeting at Communitywise Resource Centre (223 12 Ave SW) at room #106 (Arusha), located on the main floor to the left of the main doors (please see below for public health safety precautions).
Dial 320 on the intercom to be buzzed in. Please let us know that you're here for Colleqtive when we pick up. We'll let folks in until 7:00, so please arrive before then!
Our meetings are intended as a space for casual connection. This is not a structured therapy group nor is it a dating space. If you are looking for further support, Outlink staff are available to meet with you one-on-one or in small groups by phone, text based messaging, or video call upon request. They can also help connect you to other counselling services.
Please note that meetings are moderated by Outlink staff and volunteers who reserve the right to remove anyone from the group who is in violation of our Safer Space Ground Rules.
If you'd like to take any pictures of the room or the group, please ask facilitators and participants first.
Public Health Safety Precautions:
Public health and the safety of our communities is very important to us! The following safety practices are put in place for our in-person programming:- Wearing a mask is strongly encouraged.
- If you have any cold, flu, or Covid symptoms (ex. fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose), we ask that you please do not attend.
- There is a Shigella outbreak in the Beltline area. Please wash your hands before eating and after using the washroom to prevent the spread. Hand sanitizer is available as well.
- Teatime with Dorothy (In-person)CommunityWise Resource Centre, Calgary, AB
Join us for friendly conversation in a safe, supportive and welcoming online environment. This is a chance for older members of our community to support each other and meet new people. Open to older adults 50+ who identify as 2SLGBTQ+ community members and folks who are allies.
This is a free drop-in group.
This group meeting will be held in-person at the CommunityWise Resource Centre (223 12 Ave SW) at room #106 (the Arusha room), located on the main floor (please see below for public health safety precautions).
When you arrive, please dial 106 on the intercom at the front door and let us know what group you're here for so we can let you in. We'll be letting folks in until 2:45pm, so please arrive before that.
This meetup is intended as a space for peer support and casual connection. This is not a structured therapy group nor is it a dating space. If you are looking for further support, Outlink staff are available to meet with you one-on-one or in small groups by phone, text based messaging, or video call upon request. They can also help connect you to other counselling services.
Please note that this meeting is moderated by Outlink staff/volunteers who reserve the right to remove anyone from the group who is in violation of our Safer Space Ground Rules.
If you'd like to take any pictures of the room or the group, please ask facilitators and participants first.
Public Health Safety Precautions:
Public health and the safety of our communities is very important to us! The following safety practices are put in place for our in-person programming:- Wearing a mask is strongly encouraged.
- If you have any cold, flu, or Covid symptoms (ex. fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose), we ask that you please do not attend.
- There is a Shigella outbreak in the Beltline area. Please wash your hands before eating and after using the washroom to prevent the spread. Hand sanitizer is available as well.
- The maximum capacity of the room is 25 people. It can seat about 12 people comfortably.
- Queer History Walk with Kevin Allen & Calgary Outlink (Registration required)CommunityWise Resource Centre, Calgary, AB
Calgary Outlink will be hosting another queer history walk this August, facilitated by Kevin Allen (he/him)! Kevin is the author of Our Past Matters: Stories of Gay Calgary, and has been documenting and profiling queer people and events for 30 years.
The walk will be on Monday, August 25th, at 6:00 PM. We will be meeting outside CommunityWise Resource Centre (223 12 Ave SW), at 5:45 PM. Upon arrival, please check in with Outlink staff. Please ensure you are on time, as the group will depart at 6:00 PM sharp.
Registration is required to attend. Please register here.
This event is free to attend at no cost, with options to purchase a $10 ticket or give a donation with your registration. Ticket proceeds will cover event costs, and support Outlink’s ongoing services and programming. Ticket proceeds will cover event costs, and support Outlink’s ongoing services and programming.
The walk will take approximately one hour, and the tour will go into a deep dive on Calgary’s past and how 2SLGBTQ+ communities intersect into that history.
We encourage folks to sign up as early as possible. We will be limiting the number of participants to 40 people maximum to ensure a comfortable facilitation experience.
Getting There
There is street parking in front of the CommunityWise building on 12 Ave, and adjacent blocks. There are bike parking racks on the sidewalk in front of the building. Nearby LRT stations to get to CommunityWise include Victoria Park, 1st Street, and 3rd Street stations.
Nearby bus stops include:- Eastbound 12 Ave SW @ 2 St SW: #90
- Westbound 11 Ave SW @ 2 St SW: #13, #90, #449
- Westbound 11 Ave S @ Centre St: #24
- Northbound 4 St SW @ 12 Ave SW: #3, #17, #449
Accessibility
There is a ramp that leads up to the front door of the building, and a portable ramp can be placed on the step once you get in, if needed.
The building has single stall all-gender washrooms.
Please come dressed for the weather, as we will be walking outdoors. We will be visiting various locations in the Beltline neighborhood and downtown Calgary. The majority of the walk will be on paved sidewalks and pathways. We will briefly pass through Central Memorial Park, which contains dirt paths and grassy sections. As we are in the downtown area, there will be constant background noise from traffic and other people passing by. Kevin will be using a microphone to project his voice.Further Information
Visit the Calgary Gay History Project website here to get a glimpse of the real life stories that will be discussed during the tour. You can support Kevin's work by purchasing his book at Shelf Life Books or Pages. There may also be an opportunity to purchase his book or map at the walk.This event is part of Calgary Outlink’s Rainbow Recreation series, where we offer opportunities for members in 2SLGBTQ+ communities, and their allies, to come together in recreational events.
