Queer and trans candidates are running for office in Brazil in record numbers

Four years under the far-right presidency of Jair Bolsonaro has galvanized a whole new generation of activists—but divisions remain

By Nicole Froio

Playlist Q

Kezra Leon’s ‘Pink Moon’ is a club banger in the making

Florida rapper and drag performer Kezra Leon’s new EP is an homage to club culture

By Daric L. Cottingham

Immigration & Refugees

LGBTQ+ Afghan refugees are starting new lives in Canada—but hundreds are still stuck in limbo

A year after the Taliban takeover, advocates are urging the government to welcome more queer refugees and make arriving in Canada easier

By Emma Arkell

Gaming

‘I Was a Teenage Exocolonist’ plays with genre, gender and growing up

Writer and narrative designer Lindsay Ishihiro explains how queer and trans themes are baked into the genre-busting indie game

By V.S. Wells

Art & Photography

Of course Isabel Okoro wants the world to end

The Toronto-based Nigerian photographer thinks we deserve better than the world we’ve inherited

By Connor Garel

TV & Film

The best, worst and queerest films of TIFF 2022

From “The People’s Joker” to “Bros” to “The Whale,” we’ve got awards to give out

By Mel Woods

Power

More than shelters are needed to support queer and trans Southerners at risk for homelessness—here’s what four nonprofits are doing to help

Southern-based nonprofits are creating community-based solutions to LGBTQ2S+ homelessness

By Cam Smith

Books

Inside the mind of the ‘Encyclopedia Madonnica’ author who can’t stop adding entries (Madge was great in ‘Evita’!?)

The latest version of Matthew Rettenmund’s “Encyclopedia Madonnica” is a testament to the power of the Queen of Pop—and a fan’s obsession

By Matthew Hays

Power

How queer couples have to fight to be together in India

This struggle persists even four years after the Supreme Court of India decriminalized same-sex relations

By Anmol Arora

Music

Meet the queer voices taking the Canadian Country Music Awards by storm

Slowly but surely, things are improving for queer Canadians in country music

By Dan Clapson

Power

Montreal Pride parade cancellation begs the question: is it time for more community collaboration?

Community members say Fierté Montréal needs to communicate more and better, but has their support

By Savannah Stewart

Books

How a proposed book publishing merger will further marginalize LGBTQ2S+ authors across the English-speaking world

Will Simon & Schuster’s conservative bent infect the more welcoming Penguin Random House?

By Stephenie Magister

Youth

The life-changing power of West Virginia’s only queer youth summer camp

Being queer in Appalachia can be hard. This one-of-a-kind program hopes to make it a little easier

By Nico Lang

TV & Film

Four queer Canadian directors talk bringing grit and glitter to TIFF 2022

The filmmakers behind “Something You Said Last Night” “ROSIE” and more are queering the Toronto International Film Festival

By Pat Mullen

The Xtra Long Read

Finding dementia care is exhausting—especially if you’re queer or trans

From homophobic microaggressions to being denied gender-affirming care, LGBTQ2S+ seniors and their caregivers face added barriers to accessing proper support

By Tobin Ng

Activism

New legal victories give hope to Caribbean queer people whose sex lives remain criminalized

Saint Kitts and Nevis is just the latest win. Here’s our guide to the many court cases unfolding in the Caribbean

By Rob Salerno

Health

‘I felt like they were afraid of me.’ Mpox patients call out lack of support from healthcare professionals, government

As cases continue to rise in North America, queer and trans men are still struggling to access mpox vaccines, treatment and financial aid

By Krishna Rau

Culture

Trail-blazing trans artist Greer Lankton gave the girls the dolls we need

Through two permanent archives and the artists she influenced, the legendary doll-maker’s work lives on

By Grace Byron