10 queer books we’re absolutely and completely loving this summer

Need a beach read? We revisit some of the best works of fiction and non-fiction our writers have picked up so far this year

By Paul Gallant

Tik Talk

Queer comedians have found a new voice on TikTok

Without a stage for the past year and a half, many queer comedians have taken to TikTok

By Mel Woods

The Xtra Long Read

Vaxxed, waxed and ready to travel?

From Berlin to Bangkok, global queer tourism destinations are gearing up to welcome you back. But visitors should expect surprises

By Loren Christie

Music

6 new music videos from queer artists to blast this summer

From big dick energy to clapping back at your haters, there’s a music video for every mood

By Mel Woods

Your First Time

Gay beach virgin? New to nudity? Don’t be nervous. Here’s everything you need to know about LGBTQ2S+ beach culture

From Rio to Mykonos, insiders share tips and tricks to have the time of your life queering it up on the sand

By Paul Gallant

Books

Death is around every corner in this queer author’s grimly funny debut novel

In “Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead,” Emily Austin examines the intersection of queerness, religion and mental illness

By Mel Woods

Excerpt

How the fight to legalize gay marriage in the U.S. was kickstarted by a PR stunt in Hawaii

Bill Woods thought his plot to procure marriage licences for gay couples would make news on the islands. He didn’t think, 25 years later, it would make history

By Sasha Issenberg

Identity

Summer swimwear solutions for all genders and bodies

From binding at the beach to size-inclusive options, queer and trans folks are finding ways to look cool and comfortable

By Mel Woods

Activism

How small towns are celebrating Pride Month

Xtra catches up with the folks from our “Small Town Pride” documentary to see what Pride is like during a pandemic

By Riley Sparks

Protest and Pleasure

The future is Indigiqueer

In the fourth installment of the “‘Protest and Pleasure”’ series, how Indigenous peoples and nations are building the pathway to sexual and gender liberation

By Chanelle Gallant

The Xtra Long Read

What does Pride look like in a post-pandemic world?

Pride festivals around the world are grappling with the aftermath of COVID-19, a global racial reckoning and corporate criticisms. At Pride Toronto, managing the future of the event means tackling it all head-on

By Cameron Perrier

Books

Playwright Brad Fraser appraises his anger, the AIDS crisis and creative alchemy

The author of “Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love” looks back at 30 years of theatre making

By Matthew Hays

TV & Film

Mae Martin talks ‘Feel Good,’ comedy and John Wick as gender

The Canadian comedian shares their thoughts on standup, queerness and the second season of their acclaimed Netflix show

By Mel Woods

Relationships

The amazing aunties and uncles of Desi Rainbow

Why this support network for South Asian families took off last year during the pandemic

By Krishna Rau

The Xtra Long Read

Inside Canada’s chronically underfunded trans-affirming clinics

Despite more outward support for the community, legal protections and greater visibility, trans and other LGBTQ2S+ care isn’t being prioritized in the country. And when it is, financial barriers abound

By Sarah Ratchford

Protest and Pleasure

Up against the wall: Queer and trans migrants prove that no body is illegal

In the third installment of the “Protest and Pleasure” series: How state borders constrain a nation’s residents just as much as they control who gets let in

By Chanelle Gallant

Music

Vincint’s new album is the Pride soundtrack we’ve been waiting for

With the release of “There Will Be Tears,” our summer just got a whole lot livelier

By Tre’vell Anderson

Books

In ‘With Teeth,’ Kristen Arnett shows that gay moms can be messy too

The Florida writer discusses her latest novel, queer fluidity and the perfect lesbian bar

By Mel Woods