Xtra analysis of far-right politics wins excellence in queer journalism

Xtra magazine has once again been honoured for outstanding journalism, this time for a deep dive into the right wing’s perceptions and politics around bisexuality.

Writer Lois Shearing and editor Oliver Haug have been awarded the Excellence in Bisexual Coverage Award from the NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists (NLGJA) for their story titled “Understanding what the far-right thinks of bisexuality will help us fight for all queer rights.”

The NLGJA award comes on the heels of a June 13 gold-medal win at the Canadian Association of Journalists’ gala for Rob Csernyik’s investigation that has been credited with protecting vulnerable queer activists from scams.

Xtra has been nominated for a record-breaking 10 journalism awards in 2026 for LGBTQ2S+ coverage ranging from cultural and political commentary to investigations. 

“Bisexual issues often go under the radar—but as this piece reveals, the treatment and perception of bisexuality within right-wing circles can tell us a lot about the movements to curtail queer and trans rights, and how we can fight back against those movements,” says Haug. “I’m so glad that Lois’s important work is being recognized, and I feel incredibly honoured to work with a publication like Xtra, which intimately understands the importance of this kind of reporting in our fights for justice.”

NLGJA is the most prominent network of LGBTQ2S+ media professionals in North America. The organization’s awards program was established in 1993 to foster, recognize and reward excellence in journalism on issues related to the queer and trans community.

Shearing is the author of Pink-Pilled: Women and the Far-Right and Bi the Way: The Bisexual Guide to Life. They are the co-editor of It Ain’t Over Til the Bisexual Speaks: An Anthology of Bi Voices. They are based in London, England. Haug is a contributing editor for Xtra and also works as a freelance writer based in the Bay Area, California. Their work focuses on LGBTQ2S+ issues and sexual politics, and has appeared in Bitch, them, Ms. and elsewhere.

Other stories for which Xtra won awards or was named a finalist include:

•  “Why is the federal government still refusing to decriminalize HIV?” by Arvin Joaquin (edited by Ziya Jones); Winner, Best Investigative Article (Business to Consumer division); Canadian Online Publishing Awards.
 
•  “This online scam is putting the LGBTQ2S+ global activist community at risk” by ​Rob Csernyik (edited by Tara-Michelle Ziniuk, Angela Mullins and Julie Carl; fact-checked by Tobin Ng); Gold, Online Media; Canadian Association of Journalists.
• Where are the queer divorce stories?” by Zena Sharman (edited by Tara-Michelle Ziniuk); Finalist, Lifestyle Storytelling; Digital Publishing Awards.
• Xtra associate culture editor KC Hoard’s Consumed column (edited by Tara-Michelle Ziniuk, Tobin Ng and Oliver Haug); Finalist, Best Column; Digital Publishing Awards.
• “This online scam is putting the LGBTQ2S+ global activist community at risk” by Rob Csernyik (edited by Tara-Michelle Ziniuk, Angela Mullins and Julie Carl; fact-checked by Tobin Ng); Finalist, Investigative Reporting; National Magazine Awards.
• “Why is the federal government still refusing to decriminalize HIV?” by Arvin Joaquin (edited by Ziya Jones); Finalist, Investigative Reporting; National Magazine Awards.
• “This Canadian think tank is claiming ‘victory’ over anti-trans legislation” by Denio Lourenco; Finalist, 24/7 News division; Canadian Online Publishing Awards.
• “Trans people didn’t ask to get pulled into any of this” by Xtra senior editor Mel Woods; Finalist, Outstanding Online or Print Journalism Article; GLAAD.
• Xtra; Finalist, Outstanding Independent Journalism; GLAAD.

“Having Xtra’s work recognized by these esteemed organizations and associations is meaningful to us on their own, but ultimately the recognition brings more readers to these stories that are making tangible impact on the lives and rights of queer and trans people in Canada and the U.S.—that’s what’s ultimately most important to us, says Xtra’s managing editor, Tara-Michelle Ziniuk.