Calgary has a definite lack of “gay hangouts” outside of the bar scene, which can make it nearly impossible for someone to meet like-minded individuals outside of the gay nightlife. It can be equally difficult if you are just coming out, or have just moved to Calgary, to find a gay network in a predominantly heterosexual, conservative city.
Luckily there is a new group in town – one that offers a chance for gay and bisexual men in Calgary to “get out from behind the computer and get out into the community.” John Iocchelli, founder of Gay Singles in Calgary explains that, “the group is a recreation/arts group for gay or bi men to meet new friends and possibly a life partner.” Whether you are looking for a significant other, or just simply looking for friends, this group is a worthwhile addition to your social schedule.
Late last year, after 14 years in a relationship, John found himself single again. He wanted to branch out and make new friends. Realizing that meeting new people in the GLBT community can prove to be quite difficult in Calgary, he decided to start his own group with the goal in mind to do just that.
Iocchelli has created a group with wide appeal; simply browsing through its current member list online, and looking at their interests, hints at how diverse they really are. Currently there are just over 100 members, and John sees new members joining almost daily since Gay Singles in Calgary’s inception in January. Though membership is free, Iocchelli is serious about your participation once you have joined. “If you are NOT interested in joining us for events, PLEASE do not join.”
As already mentioned, the Gay Singles in Calgary website allows you to browse its members, but also enables you to keep in contact, write blogs, participate in forums, and browse photos of their events gone by. You can also get a month to month synopsis of the group’s events by visiting the Calendar area. Every week John plans at least 2-3 events for members to participate in, be they organized by the group itself, or simply an existing event that members attend together.
The events put together by Gay Singles in Calgary have catered to the group’s diverse membership, and have included coffee nights almost every week, movies, dinners, potlucks, brunches, bowling nights, and dog walking. The group attended the ARGRA’s rodeo in Strathmore, and in the near future will be at Calgary Pride in September.
It may be difficult for men to meet men here in Calgary, but joining Gay Singles in Calgary makes it difficult to hide behind excuses. Iocchelli has paved the way to finding individuals that share in your sentiments. Why not step away from your computer for a while, and start meeting people in real life.
