Calgary Outlink: Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, host second annual fundraiser and celebration in Calgary
Calgary Outlink: Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity is Calgary’s LGBTQ+ support hub, providing services and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community in Calgary and Alberta as a whole for more than 30 years.
With a huge need for support services in the community, three staff members and a large volunteer base continue to take a leadership role on LGBTQ+ issues in the city and the province.
“LGBTQ+ folks across the spectrum experience so much social stigma every day. From coming out to aging LGBTQ+ populations, to being an LGBTQ+ newcomer to Canada – all of our community members have different barriers they face and different supports that they need to thrive,” says Fleetwood Legare, co-director at Calgary Outlink Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity.
“We are a place where people can overcome and examine the stigma and shame that many LGBTQ+ folks internalize.”
On June 13, the organization will present its second annual Glitter Gala: Supporting and Uplifting LGBTQ+ Lives celebration at Folk Fest Hall in Inglewood at 8 p.m.
There is a lot to celebrate. The 2015 Glitter Gala will feature the Bad Girls Club YYC, The Calgary Gay History Project, FairyTales, and more. DJ Sonidef will be taking over at the Glitter Gala After Party, and for those looking for an early night there will be a Dinner & Drag: Glitter Gala “pre-game” from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Fine Diner.
“We always make sure that everyone who is a part of Outlink and what we do can be there to celebrate. In a lot of ways it’s a time for us to look back on what we’ve achieved this part year,” Legare says.
Calgary Outlink’s mission statement is “supporting & uplifting LGBTQ+ lives” and the Glitter Gala is a way to meet that important objective.
Calgary Outlink Presents: 2015 Glitter Gala on June 13
“We are hoping to achieve a sense of community in a city where so many are isolated, a place to celebrate when so often we are mourning the losses of community members, or working tirelessly to make things better,” says Legare. “To achieve an understanding of why our work supporting and uplifting LGBTQ+ lives is so vital and important.”
Expect a fun filled evening with amazing cuisine from Jane Bond Mongolian Grill, a Photo booth, live auction, raffles and amazing prizes to be won. Even though this is only the second year of the event the Glitter Gala hopes to dazzle.
“Last year we all decided that the Glitter Gala should be a yearly event and celebration of all that we do while looking absolutely fabulous. We would like to keep that tradition going,” says Legare.
For more information about Calgary Outlink, visit CalgaryOutlink.ca/Glitter
For tickets, go to: GlitterGala2015.brownpapertickets.com
To contact the editor responsible for this story; Ian Tanent at itanent@cjournal.ca
Thumbnail photo courtesy of Calgary Outlink and Tet M Photography