For the longest time the Calgary Outlink webpage stated a stale message: "Stay tuned for exciting changes Over the Next 60 Days!" Okay, fair enough, we’re patient folk, aren’t we?

GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine asked Sam Casselman, the newly instated President of the Board of Directors for the Calgary Outlink Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity: How long has it been in this state? A month or two?

Apparently it’s a little more embarrassing than that...

"I’m not sure exactly, but a year at least. But this is something the current board is doing, and we’re going to have it up and running hopefully within a few weeks; sooner if possible," she stated last month.  "But it is done: I’ve seen myself the final, new website. It looks amazing, and is full of new resources, and great information."

As of publishing this article, indeed the new website is up and running.

Casselman is was certainly unhappy with the delay, because she’s aware of how perceptions of the organization have slipped in recent years, giving rise to some frustration and a bit of an image problem. And this was exacerbated by the organization’s own internet survey which she admits did not reflect well on Calgary Outlink.

"I think for a lot of people [Calgary Outlink is invisible]. The space has moved a few times and there were some staffing issues. I’d love to be able to say we’re just here to tell you how great things have been; things are going to be better and even greater, but honestly there have been issues and I think the community is aware of that."

"What I really want to bring to light is that there are changes happening and they’re for the better, and we hope that we can all build new relationships; rebuild old relationships."

The research, which was sponsored by Calgary Outlink and conducted by the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Social Work, included four parts:

• The above-mentioned internet survey of 230 people, which was promoted through various means to members of the LGBT community and their families and friends

• An environmental scan of 35 "existing services, programs or groups for the LGBT communities"

• A literature review of 11 different research databases to gain some other research findings in the area of LGBT youth and adults

• A Photovoice Project, which invited members of Calgary Outlink’s Inside Out Youth Group to creatively express what queer life meant to them using photography and narratives.

Right now, Sam is most concerned about the LGBT community perspective which the internet survey shines some light on.

"The part of the survey that is more relevant to what we’re trying to do right now was the part where they spoke to the community and asked them how they saw Outlink, what they knew about it... I think that some of the findings in that survey didn’t reflect all that favourably on Outlink.

It was this element of invisibility and disconnection that rang out for Casselman, who was an Outlink client long before that became its name.

"I myself have been frustrated in the past [with Outlink’s issues] and have just wanted to get involved and try to make it something fantastic... I’ve been out since I was 15, and Outlink was a resource my mom contacted then [which at the time was called the Gay and Lesbian Community Services Association], to ask what kind of resources were available. At that time it was very much a thriving organization that [was well known]."

"A big part of what we’re trying to do now is reconnect with the community; make people aware of the services that are available, and that sort of thing."

"The concern is that it just hasn’t been really out there. For me Outlink, is working towards becoming an organization that will be there to support the community, be available for everybody, and be a resource that people can easily find out about. And part of that is us being out there and connecting with other groups and sources that can use Outlink as a referral."

We discussed whether part of Outlink’s difficulties stem from having to support and encourage Calgarians, while simultaneously needing to label them in order to provide that service.

"It’s tough when you have anything that makes you different from what society calls ‘the norm’... Obviously our resources are geared towards a certain population, one just doesn’t have the ability to offer them to the entire population. It’s difficult, you do identify with some sort of label to be a part of the transgender group, or the transsexual group, and that can go on to the women’s [lesbians] group, or the men’s group, or the [LGBT] youth group. So I think it’s difficult [to provide the resources without requiring labels]."

Despite being directed down this philosophical path, Sam still likes what Outlink stands for, and it’s potential to support others as significantly as she remembers when she needed it.

"In lots of ways Outlink has been continuing to do a lot of things really well. It’s just more about making sure that the community is aware that these things are continuing, and [that OutLink is] being involved."

In particular, she feels the Inside Out Youth Group continues to be one of their successes.

"I was in the space where we have our office and groups...and the youth group was happening in another area, and there were probably 25 youth in that space. That is a regular occurrence weekly: anywhere from 15 to 20-some youth will attend. And they come every week!"

"We keep track of kids that have been there before, and those that are there for their first time. Every single week, on the sheets the facilitators fill out, there are new kids. So this is something that’s continued to happen, no matter what issues Outlink has had.

"And for me, to see all these kids there, happy, in a space where they can be themselves and be supported, make new friends and get new skills and resources to deal with all the crap that teenagers deal with already.  ...All of that stuff for me is the best thing that Outlink does right now."

It’s hard to argue with that.