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.

Queer View Mirror

The strange queer powers of ‘The Craft’

How a coven of magical teen misfits sparked my ’90s coming out story

By Alex Hall

Queer Culture Catch-Up

A corporate podcast and a science fiction novel among Bear’s latest recommendations?

Plus a short film on Ukraine, “Girlfriends” by Emily Zhou and I Put A Spell On You Broadway fundraiser

By S. Bear Bergman

Drag Race

‘Canada’s Drag Race’ Season 4 cast announced

Eleven contestants vie to be the new Queen of the North

By Gordon Bowness

TV & Film

‘Dicks’ will make you gasp

REVIEW: Megan Mullally and Nathan Lane lead an all-star cast to irreverent heights in “Dicks: The Musical”

By Barry Levitt

TV & Film

‘How to Fail as a Popstar’ asks us to make space for failure

The series follows Vivek Shraya’s desire to become “brown Madonna” and grapples with “what happens when a star isn’t born”

By Hina Imam

Books

Bejewelled and beguiled: meet businessman and philanthropist Salah Bachir

His new star-studded memoir dishes deflection and reflection in equal measure

By Chris Dupuis

TV & Film

Pedro Almodóvar’s ‘Strange Way of Life’ answers a question ‘Brokeback Mountain’ asked 18 years ago

REVIEW: With restrained performances and über design, Almodóvar’s new short film finally lets two gay cowboys ride off into a Technicolor sunset

By Christos Tsirbas

TV & Film

The sweet radicalism of Mr. Dressup, the Canadian Mister Rogers

REVIEW: Beloved kids show had a surprising queer heart

By S. Bear Bergman

TV & Film

‘Sort Of’ to end after Season 3 drops later this year

Star and co-writer Bilal Baig discusses the messy “human” quality at the heart of their groundbreaking series, and why it’s time to call it a day

By Sanchari Sur

TV & Film

‘Sex Education’ didn’t quite get queer Christianity right

OPINION: As a queer Nigerian, I was looking forward to Eric Effiong’s storyline—but its lack of nuance left me wanting more

By Chisom Peter Job

Queer View Mirror

Twenty years later, ‘School of Rock’ still has a rocking queer spirit

Jack Black is the catalyst for a shame-free community that keeps inspiring the gays

By Jordan Currie

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

By Mel Woods

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

TV & Film

‘Golden Delicious’ offers a sweet, fresh take on the classic coming-of-age sports story

Young intimacy is rarely portrayed so beautifully—plus there’s a meet-cute moment for the ages. Xtra talks with the film’s director and star

By Max Gao

TV & Film

A young boy blossoms in the desert in ‘Frybread Face and Me’ at TIFF

REVIEW: Director Billy Luther’s feature debut is an absolutely charming coming-of-age story set in the Navajo Nation of Arizona

By Danita Steinberg

Sports

Can ‘American Ninja Warrior’ stay gender-inclusive as it goes mainstream?

A ninja league sets a model for all-gender divisions, even as “American Ninja Warrior” backs away from its prior commitment to gender inclusivity

By Suzanne F. Boswell

TV & Film

High-intensity cheerleading drama ‘Backspot’ is a surprising hit at TIFF

REVIEW: Devery Jacobs gives a intensely physical and emotionally nuanced performance

By Barry Levitt

TV & Film

‘Solo’ at TIFF is a celebratory love letter to Montreal’s drag scene

Director Sophie Dupuis and star Théodore Pellerin discuss why the artform of drag is so contested—and necessary—right now

By Pat Mullen