At Outlink, we believe that sharing stories is a powerful way to build connection, understanding, and community. Here you’ll find articles, reflections, and updates on the work we’re doing, the conversations we’re having, and the people and partners who inspire us. From spotlights on incredible volunteers and organizations, to important reflections on equity and inclusion, this is where we celebrate the voices that shape Outlink and Calgary’s 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Calgary Outlink would like to acknowledge the current ongoing discussions and experiences of racism within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and the harm caused to racialized members of our community. This harm continues to come at the hands of our largely white-led community organizations and the white supremacist colonial structures and systems they uphold. We are [...]
Outlink operates on the land adjacent to where the Bow and Elbow Rivers meet. Covered by Treaty 7, we are on the traditional territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy, which includes the Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani First Nations. We are also on the traditional territory of Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Îyâxe (Iyarhe, or Stoney) [...]
Calgary Outlink denounces the Alberta government’s stated intention to invoke Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Notwithstanding Clause, to override the rights of transgender and gender-diverse individuals in our province. The Notwithstanding Clauses’ use in this context signals an alarming disregard for the Charter’s fundamental protections and sets a [...]
Steven Archambault, Stonewall Recovery, Co-Founder of the organization, pronouns are he/him/his and I have been with Stonewall since 2022. Stonewall Recovery is founded with the value that we support everyone, regardless of the person’s identity or orientation - especially to populations that are most at risk of drug use. Being kind and compassionate are [...]
I saw an ad online for the last three or four years, and I’ve been looking for some way to give back to the community in general. Something inside me said, “Hey, this is actually a good idea,” so that was probably what triggered me [to apply]. I’m a scientific person. I don’t usually go [...]
I am the creator and organizer behind Violet’s Book Club. We have been active for about a year. Sapphic book club. Violet’s Book Club exists because, honestly, I was feeling really disconnected from the queer community in Calgary and I wanted an excuse to meet people, really. I read a lot, so I kind [...]
I’m Rhianne (she/her), I’m the [sole] founder of Queereads YYC and I facilitate the group. I started the bookclub in July 2020, so it’s three years old. Since then, Owl’s Nest Books has become a partner, and we use their space and their Zoom account. They also give us 10% off our books, while we [...]
In December of this year, I will have been on this planet for 70 years. Every time I actually think about it, it still drives me crazy, because six months ago, I was 25. Believe me, time flies. Background-wise, I knew something was not the norm. This was back in the 50s. Before I [...]
Thomas Trombetta (they/he), and I am the Senior Manager of Community and Development at PurposeMed, which is the company that developed Freddie. I have been with the company for about three years. So essentially, since Freddie started, I’ve been with them, which has been bananas. There were only six or seven people on the team [...]
I’m a group facilitator with the downtown Grabba Java group. I [facilitate] it now by myself. I started out doing it with somebody in September last year [2022], and then came New Year’s, Zak [Manager of Volunteers & Programming] asked if I would be willing to do it by myself. I said, “Sure, if I [...]
Amanda Gómez (she/he/they), co-founder for the Lavender Club YYC. Lavender Club is turning a year old in July. Creative, relaxing, and communal. Lavender Club started because Bellamy (co-founder) and I met. Violet’s Book Club is how we met, actually. Bellamy started Violet’s Book Club, and at the same time, I had a friend who [...]
I wear a few hats at Outlink. I started off as a service user. We’re a queer family, my wife and I, and we have a daughter who is openly transgender, so we are pretty active in our community. I had come across Outlink as my first point of contact, like a lot of [...]
Pam Krause (she/her), CEO for the Centre for Sexuality, and I have been with the organization for 22 years. I started as a manager in 2001. In 2004, I became the executive director. Teach, train, advocate. We are currently celebrating 51 years as an organization. It started as the Calgary Birth Control Association in [...]
About Our community engagement project occurred throughout the last half of 2021. It consisted of Zoom sessions and a survey. These sessions and surveys focused on hearing from services users who identify as 2SLGBTQ+ on their experiences when accessing support services around Calgary/Moh’kinsstis, what’s helpful for service users when accessing support services, and what services/programming [...]
