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 SF Boswell

TV & Film

What makes high-intensity cheerleading drama ‘Backspot’ such a winner

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