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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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Mel Woods

Senior editor Mel Woods is an English-speaking Vancouver-based writer, editor and audio producer and a former associate editor with HuffPost Canada. A proud prairie queer and ranch dressing expert, their work has also appeared in Vice, Slate, the Tyee, the CBC, the Globe and Mail and the Walrus.

10 queer pop culture Valentine’s cards to woo your boo
Culture

10 queer pop culture Valentine’s cards to woo your boo

Show your love, inspired by “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” “Bottoms” and “Saltburn”

February 13, 2024
What Pierre Poilievre is getting wrong about puberty blockers
Video

What Pierre Poilievre is getting wrong about puberty blockers

The Conservative Party of Canada leader appears to only want people past puberty to use them, which would make them redundant

February 8, 2024
Danielle Smith cites proven false video in defending trans women sports policy
Video

Danielle Smith cites proven false video in defending trans women sports policy

Premier cites viral video of cis rugby player as example of trans women in sports

February 6, 2024
The cruelty and calm of Alberta’s attack on trans rights
Politics

The cruelty and calm of Alberta’s attack on trans rights

ANALYSIS: The province’s new set of anti-trans policies are unprecedented in Canada and are as politically motivated as it gets

February 1, 2024
Why Alberta’s new anti-trans policies could be Canada’s harshest yet
Video

Why Alberta’s new anti-trans policies could be Canada’s harshest yet

Examining Premier Danielle Smith’s new policies restricting gender-affirming care, pronoun use in schools and more

February 1, 2024
Quebec issues first X gender drivers’ license
Identity

Quebec issues first X gender drivers’ license

But the province says it will take till 2025 for more to be issued

January 26, 2024
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Alberta town to vote on banning Pride flags and rainbow crosswalks
Politics

Alberta town to vote on banning Pride flags and rainbow crosswalks

If passed, Westlock would be the first town in Alberta with such a bylaw. The move echoes similar attempts in the U.S. to ban Pride flags in schools and government buildings

January 23, 2024
10 years later, we still need ‘Transgender Dysphoria Blues’
Music

10 years later, we still need ‘Transgender Dysphoria Blues’

OPINION: Against Me!’s seminal 2014 trans punk album is more vital than ever in 2024

January 19, 2024
5 queer films we can’t wait to see in 2024
TV & Film

5 queer films we can’t wait to see in 2024

“Love Lies Bleeding,” “Challengers” and “Wicked” highlight an exciting year ahead

January 4, 2024
Dear 2024, give me more queer reality star comedian couples!
TV & Film

Dear 2024, give me more queer reality star comedian couples!

OPINION: Parvati Shallow and Mae Martin are dating. They follow Gabby Windey and Robby Hoffman. In 2024, we need more!

January 3, 2024
50 queer and trans pop culture moments that defined 2023
Rainbow Rewind 2023

50 queer and trans pop culture moments that defined 2023

From M3GAN to George Santos to “Padam Padam,” these are the pop culture things the gays will remember from 2023

December 21, 2023
20 Canadian queer and trans tattooers to check out
Queer Ink

20 Canadian queer and trans tattooers to check out

New year, new ink? Check out some picks for artists to inspire your next tattoo

December 18, 2023
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Sufjan Stevens and the complexity of coming out
Identity

Sufjan Stevens and the complexity of coming out

OPINION: Reaction to Stevens’s tragic tribute to his late partner shows the nuance of queer life in the spotlight

October 11, 2023
The queer euphoria of tattooing
Queer Ink

The queer euphoria of tattooing

Queerness in so many ways is about self-determination. As we explore in our new series, “Queer Ink,” so are tattoos

October 2, 2023
With ‘I Have Nothing,’ Carolyn Taylor dives into queer obsession
TV & Film

With ‘I Have Nothing,’ Carolyn Taylor dives into queer obsession

Whitney Houston, figure skating, comedy and queer obsession combine in Crave’s comedy doc-series

September 27, 2023
Comedian Jes Tom on the art of being horny online
Comedy

Comedian Jes Tom on the art of being horny online

They bring their Elliot Page–presented show “Less Lonely” to Just For Laughs Toronto later this month

September 21, 2023
1 Million March met with thousands of counter-protesters across Canada
Activism

1 Million March met with thousands of counter-protesters across Canada

While queers and allies turned up in droves, there’s still cause for concern

September 20, 2023
What does ‘Barbie’ owe the queers?
TV & Film

What does ‘Barbie’ owe the queers?

ANALYSIS: The “Barbie” film is a fiercely feminist project that reinforces the gender binary. And yet we can also read into it what we want

July 26, 2023
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