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

By Mel Woods

Books

New book an ode to the Songbird Supreme and her queer fan base

“Why Mariah Carey Matters” is an ode to the Songbird Supreme and the queers who love her

By Denio Lourenco

Queer Culture Catch-Up

Mashed-up historical romance from Lex Croucher, ‘Yesterqueers’ on TikTok and musicians Kaien Cruz and Moe Reen top our calendar this week

Plus national treasure Walter Borden is onstage in Toronto

By S. Bear Bergman

Monthly Tune-Up

Crooning country from Mitski and COBRAH’s bisexual anthem top the tune-up this month

Plus new releases from tip/toe, Tinashe, Lola Wild and Eartheater

By Jordan Currie

Queer Culture Catch-Up

Put music from Sister Wife Sex Strike, Venezuelan film ‘Bad Hair’ and a Coyote Joe Stevens musical on your culture calendar

Plus Danny Ramadan’s new children’s book and more

By S. Bear Bergman

Queer Culture Catch-Up

Book your date with queer country love from Tyler Childers and trans advocate Chanel Lopez

Plus two great fiction choices for tweens and teens

By S. Bear Bergman

Monthly Tune-Up

This month’s new music round-up includes ethereal folk from Sufjan Stevens and a pop debut from jaboukie

Plus storytelling country from Nora Kelly Band, and more

By Jordan Currie

TV & Film

Top 10 films at TIFF 2023

We preview the buzziest queer and trans films at this year’s festival

By Christos Tsirbas

Music

Anohni is back with the Johnsons for her most important album yet

REVIEW: The U.K.-born singer-songwriter is breaking new ground in a stellar career at a time when trans rights are increasingly under threat

By Adam England

Queer Culture Catch-Up

Author Khashayar J. Khabushani, films ‘Mutt’ and ‘Summer Qamp’ and music by Thea Grace and Um, Jennifer? top this week’s culture calendar

Plus patient advice from the Trans Handy Ma’am

By S. Bear Bergman

Music

Becca Mancari’s ‘Left Hand’ is an exploration of queer love and resilience

REVIEW: Featuring the likes of Julien Baker and Brittany Howard, Mancari’s third album triumphs over darkness

By Dani Janae

Monthly Tune-Up

New hits from Claud, APW, Troye Sivan and more

Plus the glorious return of Anohni and the Johnsons

By Jordan Currie

Xtra News Flash

Michigan outlaws conversion therapy, Canadian labour unions fight anti-LGBTQ2S+ hate, Adore Delano comes out as trans and more

5 queer and trans stories we’re watching: July 28

By Maddy Mahoney

Xtra News Flash

‘Barbie’ takes the world by storm, lesbian rights in Italy and the U.K. and more

5 queer and trans stories we’re watching: July 24

By Eve Cable

Queer Culture Catch-Up

‘Dungeons and Drag Queens’ and country music without the gun-toting hate top the QCC playlist this week

Plus Caitlin Metz, gay science, C.A. Tanaka and more

By S. Bear Bergman

Music

Pride all summer: a listening guide for Janelle Monáe’s ‘The Age of Pleasure’

How to best enjoy Monáe’s steamy new album

By Dani Janae

Music

Kim Petras’s problematic first studio album, ‘Feed the Beast’

REVIEW: Her unique voice notwithstanding, this collection of icy electropop leaves our reviewer cold

By Kristen S. Hé

Xtra News Flash

An F-you to drag bans from boygenius, plus two trans healthcare bans overturned

Just 2 of the 5 queer and trans stories we’re watching: June 30

By Maddy Mahoney