It was a couple months ago when a Cochrane couple stepped forward to form a supportive community group for those identifying as part of the LGBTQ2S+ community.

Once the word hit the streets Renita Bartlett says the support started flooding in. "I received lots of emails and Facebook messages from folks within the Cochrane community interested in jumping on board and seeing what we can do as a community together."

Bartlett and a former board member from the disbanded group 'Your Life Out' met up with representation from the Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane and Area, Cochrane's Family Community Support Services and Calgary Sexual Health on the best way to proceed. Bartlett shares at that point it was decided a community at large meeting should be called to bring those together who wanted to be involved. "It's not about me, this is not about a small group of people, this is about a community and building a safe place."

The community meeting facilitated by Calgary Sexual Health was held on March 29 and although Bartlett pondered taking over the former Your Life Out organization it was decided that a new town committee might be a better fit. "I think that's important. Their vision and their dream are exciting but that is their's and they should be able to carry that forward in whatever way they want to." Rather than forming a non-profit with a governing board, Bartlett feels the collective group will be a faster way for all interested parties to have a voice.

Conversation at this first meeting circled around what Cochrane's LGBTQ2S+ community views as success and what areas could be improved upon when it comes to support. "We created a big list of things we thought were going really well in Cochrane because there are things that are happening in Cochrane that are exciting in the LGTBQ2S+ community. There's stuff the Boys and Girls Club is doing, parenting groups out of FCSS and of course the GSAs out of the high schools but we also came up with what is missing. That social aspect, where are the safe places in Cochrane, where we can go and hang out, we also talked about the need for a central hub."

The central hub or a central information sharing area was sparked when Bartlett and her wife were looking online for a supportive community church when information varied from person to person. Bartlett feels a central hub could be a great place to share accurate resources. "Having a central location where folks are new coming into the town can say this is a place where I am accepted no matter who I am or who I love and that is important for newcomers. Cochrane is growing and continuing to grow."

Talk about events and Pride were also discussed as well as a topic that remains hushed. "We talked about long-term goals such as being able to support seniors in care in Cochrane. As a representative of the LGBTQ2S+ community, we know that once you get put back into a care facility you go back in the closet. So having the opportunity if there are seniors in Cochrane that want to get on board getting the word out to them."

Getting the message out to the community at large will be a challenge as it is with many other community groups so everyone feel they have a voice. As a collective group committee positions will be decided, a group name and Bartlett is hopeful the youth of Cochrane will create their logo.

Bartlett would like to extend an invite to anyone who is interested no matter what age to come out to their next meeting on April 23, 6 pm at Killarney's. The group is also looking for businesses to join Deja Brew, Killarney's and the Texas Gate to come forward as supportive and welcoming places for those identifying as LQBTQ2S+.

You can also email any questions to Bartlett at renita@affinitymentorship.com

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Cochrane Couple Looks to Bring LGBTQ Community Together