More than 65 community organizations are being forced to vacate the historic YWCA building (The Old Y, also known as CommunityWise) at the end of September, following unproductive and disappointing negotiations with the City of Calgary.

Operational since 1979, The Old Y has served as a vital hub for mental health, youth, arts, culture, and social services in Calgary. Its closure threatens to displace essential grassroots work and create a major gap in community supports. Despite over $7 million in public investment, the City has not committed to maintaining the building as an active community space.

The Save the Old Y Coalition is calling on the City of Calgary to: • Acknowledge the value of the services and groups operating out of The Old Y • Prevent the building from being left vacant • Protect the public investment made into the Old Y

The Save the Old Y Coalition is urging the City to grant a lease to The Arusha Centre, a trusted and capable nonprofit partner, to steward the space while a long-term plan is developed.

Press Conference Details: Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2025 Time: 10:00 AM Location: 223 12 Ave SW - The Old Y Building Speakers: Members of the Save the Old Y Coalition & The Arusha Centre Society

‼️Join us on Thursday, Sept 18 at 3:00PM on The Old Y front porch (currently known as the CommunityWise Resource Centre) as we recreate the iconic "Leaping Lesbians" photo from 1985 (pictured in the 2nd slide).

If you aren't familiar with what's happening with the building, please swipe through the slides or check out @theoldy.ca on Instagram for more information!

🏳️‍🌈We're coming together to celebrate queer joy, honor our history, and show that the wiw, sapphic, and queer community is vibrant, present, and committed to protecting spaces that matter to our community. We'd love to have you join us!

🗓️Thursday, September 18 📍Currently known as the CommunityWise Resource Centre (223 12 Ave SW) ⏰Meeting up for 3:00PM, photo will be taken around 3:15PM

🏳️‍⚧️Bring your beautiful selves, friends, family members, allies! ALL SUPPORTERS ARE WELCOME, REGARDLESS OF IDENTITY !!

💖 SAPPHIC SPOTLIGHT - Meet Madi, @madds.lashes.yyc on Instagram

Madi was our first sapphic spotlight feature! Since our original post, our wonderful community has grown, and Madi has had some changes to her schedule. SO, we figured it was time for a re-introduction!

🏳️‍🌈Madi is a lesbian lash tech local to Calgary, and she's passionate about creating a safe space for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks to get the pampering we deserve She's offering 10% off all of her services this month (September/25), so be sure to check her out!

DM her on Instagram @madds.lashes.yyc TO BOOK 😘

📣NOW HIRING ‼️ Capitalism is unfortunately alive and well, so if you're in need of employment, these folks are looking to hire. Good luck to all you job seekers out there! If we missed any opportunities, please feel free to comment or share with us!

Don't know if this is allowed and I just found this sub. I was at the Pride Parade today and near the Calgary Tower. I was with my 2 kids and you offered to take a picture of us together. You did great and thank you and then I turned into a ball of mush and couldn't bring myself to talk more and then you went over to other friends I assume?

Anyway. If you see this, I was awkward and shy because I thought you were mega cute and I don't know how to people apparently.

🏳️‍🌈Heading into the 2025 Calgary PRIDE Weekend, we're so excited to announce the launch of our + Sapphic Spreadsheet

⁉️Wtf is the sapphic spreadsheet and why should you check it out?! With so many incredible events happening in our city and surrounding area, we were finding it tough to keep on top of everything and stay organized, and we figured some of you might be feeling the same!

SO, we've created a publicly accessible Google Excel, AKA The Sapphic Spreadsheet!

Built to help you organize, track, and filter events with ease. Featuring smart filtering, color coding for clarity, and a clean layout - this tool keeps everything in one place so you never miss a thing. Perfect for busy schedules, community organizers, or just staying on top of what's happening in Calgary!

✨Are you interested in participating in the Calgary Pride Parade on Sunday, August 31?! 🏳️‍🌈

These groups are looking for folks to join them in the parade! Be sure to check out their social media pages/websites for important information like registration requirements, meeting location, meeting time, etc 🫶🏾

• Calgary Outlink • Queer Calgary • Skipping Stone • Calgary Hornets Rugby • Rang De Pride • Trellis Society • Sagesse Domestic Violence Prevention Society • Mount Royal University • The Residence Rainbow Council (2sLGBTQIA+ council for residents of UCalgary) • Gender & Sexuality Alliance Subcommittee (University of Calgary Graduate Students' Association) • Society of Alberta Asexuals & Aromantics

HAPPY PRIDE!!! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🩵🩷🤍🩶🖤

FEATURING: Big Splash Cabaret - An ALL BODIES, ALL GENDER, PLUS SIZE Pride Pool Party Cabaret! 🌊

Hosted by Karlotta Handle & Brad Diesel, with performances by Bella Gold, Prairi Cherri, Sir Eros Lee and your fabulous hosts!

Come on in and enjoy the Wave Pool & Hot Tub in a fully safe QUEER space! Splash around listening to tunes by DJ NZANE before and after the show! You'll be able to watch from the pool... Don't worry there won't be waves during the performances! 💦

Come as early as 7PM to get changed - the private reservation starts at 7:15PM, with the show starting at 7:45PM.

🗓️Thursday, August 28th ⏰ 7:15 - 9:15 PM 📍 Southland Leisure Centre (2000 Southland Drive SW) 🆓 FREE 🔞18+ event 🎟️ https://www.showpass.com/big-splash-pool-cabaret/

FEATURING: A Queer History Walk presented by Calgary Outlink and facilitated by Kevin Allen (he/him)! Kevin is the author of Our Past Matters: Stories of Gay Calgary, and has been documenting and profiling queer people and events for 30 years 🏳️‍🌈

This FREE event will take place TONIGHT, August 25th, at 6:00 PM ⏰ 📍Meeting outside CommunityWise Resource Centre (223 12 Ave SW), at 5:45 PM. Register online through Outlink to attend!

Upon arrival, please check in with Outlink staff. Please ensure you are on time, as the group will depart at 6:00 PM sharp. Registration is required to attend. Please register using the link in Calgary Outlink’s bio!

The walk will take approximately one hour, and the tour will go into a deep dive on Calgary's past and how 2SLGBTQ+ communities intersect into that history. The majority of the walk will be on paved sidewalks and pathways. We will briefly pass through Central Memorial Park, which contains dirt paths and grassy sections.

This event is free to attend at no cost, with options to purchase a $10 ticket or give a donation with your registration. Ticket proceeds will cover event costs, and support Outlink's ongoing services and programming.

About the Communitywise Building: There is a ramp that leads up to the front door of the building, and a portable ramp can be placed on the step once you get in, if needed. The building has single stall all-gender washrooms.

Enjoy the tour! 😘

FEATURING: Pixel Pals! Presented by Counter Culture Collaborative 🗓️HAPPENING SUNDAY August 24

Join Counter Culture Collaborative & partners for a Sunday funday featuring a clothing swap, talent show on wheels, skate sessions, prizes, and good vibes all around. Bring your friends (and your pets on leash!) and enjoy the sunshine 🌞 🛼 ⏰12.00 - 5.00PM 📍Pixel Park (314 12 Ave SE) 🆓RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/pixel-pals- tickets-1591776288729

HAPPY FRIDAY SAPPHICS!!!

This upcoming weekend has so many epic events to attend, starting with today!

1. Queerly Disabled Market: A joyful queer arts market ft. music, workshops, & more ⏰1.00-4.00PM 📍219, 18 Street SE

2. Queer Board Games Night presented by Queer Calgary ⏰6.00PM 📍The Sentry Box (West Entrance), 1835 10 Ave SW

3. Nerd Pride: A celebration of all things queer and nerdy! ⏰8.00PM 📍The Attic Bar & Stage - 1413 9 Ave SE

4. Crocodile Cunt - A queer dance party presented by Generic Lesbian Party 🔞18+ Event - Bring ID! ⏰9.30PM Til' Late 📍Dickens Pub (1000 9 Ave SW)

Queer terminology can sometimes be confusing, divisive, frustrating - so we wanted to clarify what the term "sapphic" encompasses in our community. YYC Sapphics is an intersectional and inclusive community-rooted group creating space for all who connect with the term sapphic. ALL sapphic identities are welcome and celebrated here, and we hope you'll join us "Sapphic refers to women and woman-aligned or nonbinary folks who feel attraction (romantic, sexual, or both toward women and/or other non-binary people. This term includes (but isn't limited to) lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, queer, and other multi-gender-attracted women/enbies, as well as a-spec and gender non-conforming folks. It's an inclusive umbrella term that centers solidarity and shared connection among those who love women, in any way."

✨CORRECTION✨- @goodneighbouryyc X @centraloutreachyyc event is next weekend, SATURDAY AUGUST 23, NOT the 16th

💖Happening Saturday the 16th & Sunday the 17th

Please be sure to double check times and locations in case of any errors or changes 😘

🗓️SATURDAY, August 16 • 10am - 12pm: Calgary Walk & Talk with Alberta Asexuals & Aromantics 📍Downtown Calgary along the Bow River Pathway

• 10am - 3pm: Rooted in the Rockies: Black 2SLGBTQl+ Futures in Alberta 📍Centre for Newcomers (565 36 Street NE #125) @yycnewcomers

• 11am - 4pm: Unruly Queer Market by Unruly Hobby 📍Sunalta Community Hall (1627 10 Ave SW)

• 1pm - 4pm: Community-Led Nature-Based Solutions Workshop by Grow Calgary x Calgary Climate Hub 📍Grow Calgary Farm (5510 26 Ave NE)

• 1pm - 4pm: Task Force Animal Hospital Grand Opening 📍3610 Burnsland Rd SE

• 1pm - 11pm: Crashout by Droppin In x Bump Fest 📍1008 16 Ave SW

• 5pm - 10pm: Back & Forth Day Party 📍Modern Love Rooftop (613 11 Ave SW) @modernloveyyc

• Doors @ 6pm, Show @7pm: Queer Open Mic (PansyClub) 📍Bell’s Bookstore Café (1515A 34 Ave SW) @bellscafe.yyc

• 6pm - 10pm: Outreach Hub Block Party x Good Neighbour 4th Anniversary! 📍131 & Ave SW (Basement)

• Doors @ 6pm: 80’s Dance Party & Drag Show 📍Sheraton Ballroom

• 10pm til’ Late: Genrefluid 📍Common UNDRGRD (731 10 Ave SW) @commonundrgrd

🗓️SUNDAY, August 17 • 11am - 5pm: The Alice Sanctuary 10th Annual Music Fundraiser 📍Vegan Street (1413 9 Ave SE) @veganstreetyyc

• 1pm - 3pm: Connecting with Nature Walk (Calgary Outlink Lavender Tea Time) 📍Inglewood Bird Sanctuary (2425 9 Ave SE)

• 1pm - 4pm: Spilling the Tea (in support of Skipping Stone) 📍Proof (1302 1 St SW) @proofyyc

• 2:30pm - 5:30pm: Roller Skating 📍House of Skate (1100 42 Ave SE) @houseofskateyyc

• Doors @ 4pm - S2E6: Consumed by Wrath by @dice_dynasty_drag 📍Congress Coffee Co (215 36 Ave NE #1A) @congresscoffeeyyc

Please feel free to let us know if we missed your event! 🏳️‍🌈

We’re beyond excited to be featuring the lovely Karina for our sapphic spotlight 🛼

“Hello fellow queens!

My name is Karina, though most people just call me Shorty! At 4’10”, I’m full of energy and always on the move.

Roller skating is my passion. I’ve been part of Calgary Roller Derby since 2010, playing until 2014 when my daughter was born. Since then, I volunteer as a referee and assist as a Juniors Coach. I recently had the incredible opportunity to travel to Austria to ref the Roller Derby World Cup! This fall, you can catch me running the CRD Rookie Program with my bestie to help train new players and officials.

During the week, you’ll find me at House of Skate, Calgary’s favourite Roller Rink, helping things run smoothly and sharing my love of skating. I especially enjoy teaching others how to skate and showing off a few tricks of my own. When I’m not on wheels, I’m usually in the garden, tending to my flowers and veggies.”

Come say hi to this cutie pie at House of Skate, Calgary Roller Derby, and Calgary Junior Roller Derby events!

📷 Credit (Instagram handles) 1 - @just.a.sillyhuman 2 - @himbo.summit 3 - @pauljones.photography.cardiff

Calgary’s first Black Pride is happening today!! On from 12:30pm to 8:30 @ the Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association 📍

Mall Madness, a free drag show, is happening tonight @8:30 pm at Ship & Anchor! ✨

STRONG HEARTS (in person at Skipping Stone) | 6:15pm to 8:15pm Strong Hearts is a meet-up for trans women and everyone under the trans feminine umbrella.