First Issue of PunQ Underground - a new Calgary Alt Queer Print Newsletter!
Introducing our first issue for May 2026 of Calgary’s Underground Punk/Queer/DIY monthly events newsletter! This newsletter is a collaborative project supported by the High Queerdness Lending Library & Pansy Club
PunQ Undergound was a concept that came out of the loss of so much local physical media. The project is deeply inspired by previous local magazines like FFWD, and based on the incredible Dykes and Dolls NYC zine and calendar (which you should subscribe to here: https://dykesanddolls.substack.com/)
We also want to mention another great resource for local queer and trans events: https://yyc.lgbt/ - bookmark and check in for lots of ongoing programming, support services, meet up/social groups, affirming fitness and queer youth events.
We have become so dependent on apps like Instagram for staying in touch with local events, organizations, and art. But between algorithm shenanigans, and so much of staying "in the know" involving following and interacting with the right accounts.... it's just become frustrating and not accessible! Plus, we've heard from so many about wanting to get away from Meta products and social media - and we feel your pain. So let's bring back print media! Local zines, mags, newsletters, posters, bulletins - analogue is back in folks!
For Issue #2 in June, we plan to flip it and reverse it~ We'll be adding another side full of your (yes that's you!!) classified ads, missed connections, micro reviews, comics, jokes, and activities, plus featured zines + scans from High Queerdness! Please send all your submissions, event listings, ideas, sarcastic remarks and cute pics to highqueerdness@gmail.com - we can't promise to include everything (calendars can only be so big folks), but we will do our best.
We would love to distribute the printed issues at all the coolest yyc hot spots. If you're interested in being a distributor of PunQ Underground, please reach out at the above email, or at info@pansy.club.
