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.

Media

Contributors, organizations and celebrities call out the New York Times’ transphobia

The paper of record is the target of two open letters

February 15, 2023

Marriage Equality

The Respect for Marriage Act just passed. What does that mean for the future of same-sex marriage?

Here’s what the act does and doesn’t do, and why advocates say it’s sorely lacking

December 13, 2022

Politics

All the LGBTQ2S+ wins and losses from the 2022 midterm elections

Here’s everything queer you need to know about election night

November 9, 2022

Politics

Florida is now targeting teachers and trans students following passage of “Don’t Say Gay” law

New rules force school districts to notify parents if they allow trans kids to use gender-congruent bathrooms

October 26, 2022

Power

Facebook is making millions off Matt Walsh’s transphobic documentary

New research shows that the platform’s parent company likely earned over $4 million in ad revenue from the film

October 19, 2022

Identity

Meet the trans reporter who went viral after coming out live on air

After over a year working at a U.S. news outlet, Nora J.S. Reichardt reintroduced herself to viewers

October 12, 2022

Activism

The Trevor Project ends partnership with surveillance software company, returns donation

The decision came in the wake of outcry on Twitter

October 5, 2022

Hate Watch

Two Iranian LGBTQ+ activists have been sentenced to death

Iran is one of at least eight countries where homosexuality is punishable by the death penalty

September 8, 2022

Power

The next big Supreme Court battle could be over LGBTQ2S+ student groups

A potential shadow docket case is raising alarm bells over the latest freedom of speech controversy

August 31, 2022

Politics

The future of marriage equality is in danger after U.S. senator pulls support for landmark bill

The Respect for Marriage Act’s future is uncertain after Republican Ron Johnson flip-flops on the legislation

August 24, 2022

Justice

Family of eight-year-old girl sues over discriminatory Tennessee bathroom law

Under the law, trans students in Tennessee are not allowed to use the bathroom in alignment with their lived gender

August 11, 2022

Activism

This Black trans woman has been incarcerated in a men’s prison for nearly a decade. She’s finally free

Ashley Diamond has fought for landmark reforms around gender-affirming treatment for trans people held in Georgia prisons

August 10, 2022

Mental Health

The pandemic is causing an LGBTQ2S+ mental health crisis in Canada

New polling indicates increasing rates of anxiety and depression, particularly among LGBTQ2S+ youth and people of colour

August 8, 2022

Censorship

A Michigan town defunded its public library over LGBTQ2S+ books

Libraries in Michigan and Iowa have closed due to conservative pushback

August 5, 2022

Identity

Oklahoma is requiring student athletes to sign ‘biological sex affidavits’

The policy comes in the wake of a law prohibiting trans youth from playing on the sports team that matches their gender

August 4, 2022

Trans Health

England closes country’s only youth gender clinic

A 2021 report found that large numbers of patients were waiting up to two years for appointments.

August 3, 2022

Identity

Trans and non-binary Manitobans face major delays in receiving corrected health card

Some have waited months to years to receive updated cards, while others have never received a response

July 29, 2022

Politics

The U.S. Supreme Court is threatening marriage equality. These lawmakers want to protect it

The Respect for Marriage Act is a direct response to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson last month

July 20, 2022