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Xtra is an online magazine and community platform covering LGBTQ2S+ culture, politics and health. We aim to break boundaries, think outside of binaries and build bridges within our communities and beyond.

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Diamond Yao

Diamond Yao is an independent writer and journalist who focuses on contemporary social and environmental issues. Based in Montreal/Tio’tia:ke, her work focuses largely on marginalized voices, intersectionality, diaspora, sustainability and social justice. Her work has been featured in the Toronto Star, Autostraddle, La Converse and the CBC.

  • graceofyul
Falooda Collective’s quest to uncover South Asian queer history in Montreal
History

Falooda Collective’s quest to uncover South Asian queer history in Montreal

Queer South Asian people have existed in Montreal for decades and have stories worth telling

June 13, 2024
Nothing in place for U.K.’s trans youth as the country’s only children’s gender care clinic closes
Trans Health

Nothing in place for U.K.’s trans youth as the country’s only children’s gender care clinic closes

The clinic is supposed to be replaced by regional service centres, to help reduce waiting times—but the centres don’t yet exist

February 10, 2023
The passing of transphobic laws increased internet searches for ‘suicide’ and ‘depression,’ study finds
Mental Health

The passing of transphobic laws increased internet searches for ‘suicide’ and ‘depression,’ study finds

The study also found that when a transphobic bill was defeated, the number of searches on those topics decreased 

February 3, 2023
Data shows huge increase in trans hate crimes across Scotland in past decade
Violence against LGBTQ2S+

Data shows huge increase in trans hate crimes across Scotland in past decade

This latest data comes at the heels of the U.K. government’s decision to block the Scottish Gender Recognition Reform bill

January 27, 2023
World Boxing Council will introduce trans boxer categories
Sports

World Boxing Council will introduce trans boxer categories

The new regulations have been met with criticism from trans athletes, who say they are discriminatory

January 13, 2023
Nova Scotia town rallies around queer-owned store after its Pride flags were repeatedly vandalized 
Homophobia

Nova Scotia town rallies around queer-owned store after its Pride flags were repeatedly vandalized 

Despite the incidents, the owners intend to continuously display the Pride flag

January 6, 2023
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Queer incarcerated youth have worse mental health than their peers, new study shows 
Mental Health

Queer incarcerated youth have worse mental health than their peers, new study shows 

Even before incarceration, queer youth, especially queer youth of colour, are more likely to be disciplined in school

December 22, 2022
Twenty years after gay bathhouse raid, Calgary police promise reconciliation
Power

Twenty years after gay bathhouse raid, Calgary police promise reconciliation

Many LGBTQ2S+ advocates believe there is still a lot of work to do beyond the latest efforts of reconciliation 

December 15, 2022
Homophobia and discrimination are still rampant in Canadian hockey
Sports

Homophobia and discrimination are still rampant in Canadian hockey

Sixty-one percent of the 512 penalties called by officials last season involved insults based on sexual orientation or gender identity

December 8, 2022
The WHO just changed the name of monkeypox to ‘mpox.’ Here’s why 
Health

The WHO just changed the name of monkeypox to ‘mpox.’ Here’s why 

The decision comes after months of criticism from scientists and public health experts

November 30, 2022
Texas lawmakers want to criminalize drag shows
Politics

Texas lawmakers want to criminalize drag shows

Advocates warn that the bill could have disastrous consequences for trans people in the state

November 17, 2022
LGBTQ2S+ former students at evangelical college allege discrimination, homophobia and abuse
Education

LGBTQ2S+ former students at evangelical college allege discrimination, homophobia and abuse

Former students at Saskatchewan’s Briercrest College are speaking out because they are concerned for current students

November 10, 2022
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Almost half of Japan’s LGBTQ+ teens have considered suicide, survey says
Mental Health

Almost half of Japan’s LGBTQ+ teens have considered suicide, survey says

Over 90 percent said they could not talk openly about their sexuality to their parents, and just over 93 percent of students said the same regarding their teachers

November 4, 2022
A record number of LGBTQ2S+ candidates threw their names on U.S. ballots this year
Politics

A record number of LGBTQ2S+ candidates threw their names on U.S. ballots this year

Here’s why that matters and how it could impact the November election

October 31, 2022
Toronto’s queer community denounces incoming police chief’s appointment, demands a public meeting
Activism

Toronto’s queer community denounces incoming police chief’s appointment, demands a public meeting

Myron Demkiw was involved in a raid of a queer women’s bathhouse event that a judge later found to be a violation of the attendees’ charter rights

October 20, 2022
‘We are very happy’: Mexico just took a giant leap toward LGBTQ+ equality
Politics

‘We are very happy’: Mexico just took a giant leap toward LGBTQ+ equality

Mexico’s largest state legalized same-sex marriage last week and parliament took a historic vote to ban conversion therapy

October 20, 2022
Slovenia becomes first post-communist country to legalize same-sex marriage, adoptions
Politics

Slovenia becomes first post-communist country to legalize same-sex marriage, adoptions

This decision stands in stark contrast with most of its Eastern European neighbours, some of which have increasingly opposed LGBTQ+ equality

October 7, 2022
For queer Asians, community means family
Identity

For queer Asians, community means family

After pandemic lockdowns and anti-Asian violence, LGBTQ2S+ Asians across Canada are coming together with a vengeance

October 5, 2022
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