Education

In virtual classrooms, Canadian students keep getting deadnamed

Preferred name policies in schools have proven even more challenging during COVID-19

By Marsha McLeod

Ask an Expert

New to fisting? Here’s our handy guide

Nurse practitioner Miles Harris answers every question—and we mean EVERY question—you might have about fisting

By Andy Bandyopadhyay

Books

Catherine Hernandez’s new dystopian novel feels very real in 2020

In “Crosshairs,” the author conjures a near-future world where a resistance movement rises up against authoritarianism, racism and environmental disaster

By Rachel Giese

Identity

In Nigeria, podcasts give voice to LGBTQ people

While queer and trans Nigerians remain persecuted, shows like ‘Queercity’ and ‘The Pride Diaries’ create a sense of community among the country’s LGBTQ population

By Nelson C.J

My Queer Kitchen

A gorgeous queer memory emerges from the Moon Mists of time

This colourful ice cream inspires chef Jennifer E. Crawford’s necessary flights of fancy

By Jennifer E. Crawford

Culture

The Gay Agenda is real, thanks to this TikTok star

More than 16,000 users are now part of an online LGBTQ2 community—all based out of a shared Google Calendar

By Joel Louzado

Canada’s Drag Race

After the sashay: Rita Baga represents French-Canadians until the end

The Montreal queen had the most wins and serves

By Arvin Joaquin

Canada’s Drag Race

After the sashay: Scarlett Bobo serves consistently fierce realness

The Toronto queen talks about her secret meltdowns and embracing her underdog status

By Arvin Joaquin

Activism

‘A rainbow is enough to get arrested’: Inside Poland’s clash for LGBTQ rights

Activists call the latest protests against homophobia and transphobia the “Polish Stonewall,” as anti-LGBTQ President Andrzej Duda is re-elected for another term

By Juliette Bretan

Canada’s Drag Race

Hail Queen Pri

Shantay She Slayed: Canada’s herstory-making drag superstar came to represent

By Arvin Joaquin

The Xtra Long Read

Inside the second wave of the HIV epidemic in the Philippines

Travel to the frontlines of the health crisis and meet a generation of young people trying to build a better future

By Arvin Joaquin

Health

How abortion bans harm LGBTQ2 people, too

Queer and trans people are systematically harmed by continued attempts to dismantle abortion access in the U.S.

By Jessica Zucker

Canada’s Drag Race

After the sashay: When life gives you Lemon

The citrus-y New York queen talks about people’s perception, her character’s inspiration and the makeover challenge that made her emotional

By Arvin Joaquin

Immigration & Refugees

‘Canada’s Drag Race’ showcases how refugees’ lives are made over, onscreen and off

One of the latest episode’s guests, Rebal, talks about moving to Canada from Syria, being queer and ending up in drag

By KC Hoard

Sex

Mask 4 Mask: COVID-19 face coverings are changing queer cruising

Reading cues from a potential hookup in a mask can be tough. But over the years, queers have found creative ways to communicate desire—and to stay connected

By Kyle Casey Chu

Hate Watch

The anatomy of a city with a hate problem

With few safe spaces for LGBTQ2 communities and a burgeoning alt-right movement, Hamilton, Ontario has become a microcosm of other urban centres grappling with hate

By HG Watson

Canada’s Drag Race

After the sashay: Kiara bids the competition au revoir

The fierce Montreal queen talks about Mariah Carey, her Snatch Game performance and life after ‘Drag Race’

By Arvin Joaquin

Health

When miscarriage happens to LGBTQ2 parents

When it comes to miscarriage, LGBTQ2 people have been left out and erased from conversations about loss—and reproductive health altogether

By Jessica Zucker