In 2012, Xtra’s YouTube channel generated more than two million views. From pornstars who bared all to a trans beauty contestant who took on the Miss Universe pageant, these were the stories you watched, and debated, in 2012.
A behind-the-scenes peek at a sizzling photo-shoot with pornstars Trystan Bull and James Huntsman for Fab magazine’s underwear issue sent many a gay man’s heart aflutter. A lot of oil and skin was revealed, and it got several hundred thousand hits, making it the most popular video in our YouTube channel’s history.
Coming in second was a story about Naked Yoga that stimulated — and titillated — the mind, body and spirit. An exclusive video with one of the hottest pop bands of the year, Fun, in which they discuss gay rights and homosexuality, was the third most watched video in 2012.
Following those videos was out-and-proud Hollywood star Neil Patrick Harris at the LA Gay and Lesbian Centre and a sit-down interview with Canada’s own kd lang. A discussion with two of the actors who portray queer characters on the long-running show Degrassi Jr High, was the sixth most popular video of the year.
Jenna Talackova, a Vancouver-born beauty queen who took on Donald Trump and changed the rules of the Miss Universe Pageant, made the trans world rejoice. Another trans story, in which Lana Wachowski discussed her coming-out story at the Toronto International Film Festival, came in at number eight.
New York band the Scissor Sisters talking about their gay fans came in at number 9, and David Testo, who became the first professional soccer player to come out as a gay man, rounded out our top 10.
Which one was your favourite? Let us know in the comments below. Below are the videos arranged in order of their viewership.