How well do we really know our own community? In a reputed, somewhat fractured community, it can be hard to know what all of us want. In this time of exceptional growth in Calgary’s GLBT community, we are fortunate to hear the results of Calgary Outlink’s survey Exploring the Needs of LGBT Community in Calgary prepared by the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Social Work.
The purpose of this study, according to Calgary Outlink, was to examine the service needs, barriers and best practices for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-identified communities. The survey was completed by 230 individuals over the internet, showing a gender identity distribution of 45% female, 48% male, and 7% trans-identified. There was also an environmental scan of “representatives of groups or services that offer programs or make particular efforts to be inclusive of LGBT people”. With the results, Calgary Outlink hopes to direct their future programming to the appropriate audiences.
Much of the information in this survey does not come as a surprise. Most apparent on the survey and in the general GLBT population of Calgary was the need for a central location or “hub” for the community. This would entail a community centre that provides “services, programs, groups, activities, and advocacy.” Forty-two percent surveyed believe that Calgary Outlink should be this centre.
Survey results indicated that more than 75% of participants believe that being connected to GLBT community is a crucial part of their identity. This again comes as no surprise. What is disconcerting however is that only 57% of the participants took part in GLBT events, services, organizations, programs, groups, and activities other than bars, and only 59% felt they were part of the community. This shows a definite deficiency in the services that Calgary’s GLBT community needs.
Some of the facts might have been a little tough for Calgary Outlink to hear. One participant suggested that the organization needs to focus on increasing notoriety, stating, “I’m not aware of a lot of the services that Outlink provides.” This sentiment represents 30% of the participants who knew nothing of what Outlink has to offer. In fact, about 79% of participants were aware that Calgary Outlink exists to serve the GLBT community of Calgary, and yet only 19% of the participants were “very aware” of what programs they provide.
What is surprising is the high level of interest that participants had for being involved in GLBT programs, activities or events. Special events such as Pride week pulled in 79% of the survey participants while organizations and advocacy/activism garnered 68% each. Only 14% of participants were interested in participating in religious events while 45% were interested in sports groups. Most astonishing was the level of interest in bars, which only accounted for 50% of participants, showing that there is indeed a bigger picture.
The environmental scan provided some useful insight into the lack of services and programs for the GLBT community. All of the 22 organizations surveyed “had either programs or service that were targeted directly to the LGBT communities.” Again, the biggest gap in the community as identified by these organizations was the lack of a hub or community centre. “Such a community centre could take the lead in addressing some of the key challenges, needs and issues identified in the environmental scan, such as providing a safe space for LGBT people to go to for information or services, developing additional programs for LGBT youth and the trans-identified communities, providing consistent services or programs to the LGBT communities, promoting programs that are culturally sensitive, increasing coordination between LGBT services and mainstream services (e.g., shelters), and working with mainstream agencies to develop safe spaces for LGBT people.”
While it is commendable, Calgary Outlink’s initiative to understand issues that the GLBT community of Calgary is facing, the next step of addressing them is a tall order. Only time will tell how this information will go toward improving their services and visibility in Calgary.


For more information on this survey, please visit Calgary Outlink’s website at www.calgaryoutlink.ca.