Thanks for everything

Yes, there’s been a lot of doom-and-gloom lately but, after a spree of it on Friday, I promised some happy news and what better day for it than Thanksgiving? Here are some things on my list:

— I’m thankful for the hundreds of people who turned out to march in a Vancouver anti-violence rally in support of Jordan Smith, who was gaybashed last month. It’s horrible to see a hate crime happen in such a gay-friendly city but amazing to see the community step up in response.

— I’m thankful that this is the last day of our annual Canadian federal election campaign. It looks as though Stephen Harper will win but only a minority. Again. I’ve never been so happy to cheer on the status quo — I feel so Canadian!

— I’m thankful for Gavin Crawford and the ’22 Minutes’ gang, keeping us sane these last couple weeks!

— I’m thankful that Britney Spears is finally asking herself the question that’s been on all our minds for years now: “What the hell was I thinking?” I’m not much of a fan (please don’t take away my gay card!) but watching her downward spiral — like that of Amy Winehouse — was just depressing. I’m glad to see Brit back to her skanky self and, better yet, putting the supernaturally good-looking Brandon Staughton in her comeback video:

— I’m thankful that gay couples in Connecticut can now get married. Three states down, 47 to go!

— I’m thankful for you, the kind and curious people who read this blog every day!

— I’m obviously thankful for YouTube and for this cool animated video of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights — underneath all the snark and dick jokes, it’s the bedrock for what we do here:

 

— and finally, I’m thankful that this Green-Day-loving US soldier finally came home from Iraq after 14 months and that his grateful family filmed their dogs’ reaction:

Awww, that’s just the loveliest thing ever. Like the song says, I hope your Thanksgiving is terrific (but consider arguing politics with that one right-wing relative for once — you might convince him to give up on Harper)!

A former editor of the late, lamented fab magazine, Scott has been writing for Xtra since 2007 on a variety of topics in news pieces, interviews, blogs, reviews and humour pieces. He lives on the Danforth with his boyfriend of 12 years, a manic Jack Russell Terrier, a well-stocked mini-bar and a shelf of toy Daleks.

Keep Reading

A pink background with two pairs of people from the nose down in black and white.

Life after twink death is trans joy 

ANALYSIS: Twinks don’t have to die—they can transition

In defence of ‘The Ultimatum: Queer Love’ and its straight host

OPINION: Netflix’s “The Ultimatum: Queer Love” just wrapped another mess-heavy season. Host JoAnna Garcia Swisher may be the key to the future of queer reality TV
A yellow background with side-by-side images of the cover of the novel Hot Girls with Balls and author Benedict Nguyễn. Nguyễn has long dark hair and wears neon; the book cover has green and white text on a lilac background, two volleyballs and a net.

‘Hot Girls with Balls’ is deliciously, painfully online

Benedict Nguyễn’s debut novel is both tender and ruthless about the frictions of being internet famous
A turquoise background with three images side-by-side: Trauma Plot; Sorry, Baby; and John Proctor is the Villain covers/promotional images.

What does an assault story look like in 2025?

 “Sorry, Baby,” “John Proctor Is the Villain” and “Trauma Plot” are changing the narrative about rape stories by reflecting how it hasn’t changed