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- Lavender Teatime (Online) - "Portrait of a Lady on Fire" Film Discussion!Link visible for attendees
***
We will be discussing the film "Portrait of a Lady on Fire" at this meeting. It can be viewed for free with an account on CBC Gem. If you haven't watched it, you're still absolutely welcome to join us!
Synopsis: In 18th century France a young painter, Marianne, is summoned to an isolated seaside estate to paint a secret wedding portrait of Héloïse. The two women become closer as they share Héloïse's last moments of freedom.
_____________________________
Lavender Teatime is a twice monthly peer support group hosted through Calgary Outlink that serves as a supportive social space for those whose identities are informed and understood in relation to experiences of queer womanhood, including trans, non binary, and cis folks as they feel comfortable in this space. It will be held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month.
We understand and recognize that there can be a lot of nuance to how each of us identifies and that we do not all use the same language even when we might share similar experiences. We recognize also that our unique identities can shape the ways we experience and are experienced by the world and that our experiences might not align even when we share identities. We celebrate these differences and strive to create space where all our beautiful diversity can shine! There are endless ways to identify and even more ways of being in community. If you feel that you align with this group, you are welcome here!
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 and support 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.
This is an online meeting. Advance registration is required for all our Zoom meetings. Register here.
***
What's in a name?
We envision this group as a space for sharing, learning, growth, and connection.
We use this name as a reclaimed symbol for radical queerness and lesbianism in an all-encompassing way. Historically, we understand that lesbian has often been used as an umbrella term covering a wide range of gender and sexual diversity and we want this to be reflected in our intentions for this group and its name. Whether you have been in this type of space for a long time or are just starting to wonder what identifying in this type of space might mean or look like for you, if you want to be in community with us, we want to be in community with you, and we look forward to sharing tea with you soon!
- Grabba Java (Online)Link visible for attendees
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.
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.
This meetup is 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.
Advance registration is required to access all our Zoom meetings. Register here.
- Teatime with Dorothy (Online)Link visible for attendees
Please note that online meetings are now held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.
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 an 2SLGBTQ+ community member and folks who are allies.
This is a free drop-in event. Calgary Outlink staff and volunteers are moderating this event. We reserve the right to remove anyone from the group who is in violation of our Safer Space Ground Rules.
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.
Advance registration is required for all our Zoom meetings. Register here.
- Between Men (Online)Link visible for attendees
Between Men is a community peer group for queer men (including cis and trans men), transmasculine people, and anyone under the masculine identity umbrella who is gay, bi, pan, toric, queer, questioning, or are otherwise attracted to guys. Between Men is a safe, inclusive space where we can talk openly and honestly about our lived experiences and share our stories to feel heard, respected, loved, and supported.
Together, we can work towards better understanding ourselves and how our intersectionality impacts us, including our sexual orientations, sexualities, gender identities, and gender expressions. By realizing our individual strengths, we can overcome and liberate ourselves from negative belief systems that keep us from living authentically.
Between Men also offers opportunities to socialize, meet new people, make good connections, and have fun amongst supportive and safe company.
This meetup is intended as a space for peer support, casual socialization, and connection. This is not a structured therapy group, business networking event, or dating space. If you are looking for further support, please contact Calgary Outlink (1-403-234-8973). If you are in crisis, please contact Distress Centre Calgary (1-403-266-HELP).
Please note that this online group is moderated by Calgary Outlink staff and/or volunteers. Moderators have the right to mute, warn, or remove participants from the group who are in violation of our Safer Space Ground Rules.
Advance registration is required for all our Zoom meetings. Register here.
