Xtra wins gold at the Canadian Association of Journalists’ annual gala

Read our award-winning investigation about an online scam targeting global activists

New study finds Canadian trans youth rarely detransition

A group of Canadian researchers found that 97 percent of youth who seek treatment for gender dysphoria still identify as trans years later

By Mel Woods

Politics

The most banned books in Alberta school libraries

These titles have been removed from libraries in five or more school divisions this year

By Brett McKay

Homophobia

Conversion therapy might be back. Survivors of the ‘troubled teen industry’ say it never went away

Many program survivors argue that conversion therapy has persisted as an open secret in the industry for years

By Logan Hoffman-Smith

Identity

Canadian census asks about sexual orientation for first time

Experts say the data will boost understanding of the economic, health and social inequities faced by LGBTQ2S+ people

By Emma Bainbridge

Tech

This former OnlyFans creator wants to make sexy content better for everyone

From Calgary to OnlyFans to Silicon Valley—Grant McNaughton’s journey has led him to build his own platform for X-rated videos

By Kevin Hurren

Inside Xtra

Xtra nominated for National Media Awards and Canadian Association of Journalists Awards

Nominees include contributors Zena Sharman, Rob Csernyik and Arvin Joaquin, along with Xtra editor KC Hoard

By Xtra Staff

Identity

A ‘life coach’ for queerness? It’s increasingly popular

Queer life coaches promise to support people in coming out, dating and finding community. But the reviews are mixed

By Lois Shearing

Books

Sara Ahmed says we need more complainers, not less

Whether it’s queer community, academic or government institutions, the feminist scholar says there’s value in complaints

By Rhea Rollmann

History

A very homosexual history of beefcake magazines

In the 1950s, ‘physique’ magazines sold more than just eye candy—they offered community and connection for isolated gay men

By Jake Hall

Nightlife

How Kyiv’s queer nightlife is keeping community alive during wartime

Despite curfews, blackouts and anti-LGBTQ+ attacks, queer clubs and raves are bringing people together in Ukraine’s capital city

By Finbarr Toesland

Activism

This Ontario teacher and his students are filling gaps in Canada’s queer history

The HISTORYtellers Project is bringing to light LGBTQ2S+ stories left out of textbooks

By Julia Peterson

Inside Xtra

Maia Kobabe to guest edit series of original comics about LGBTQ2S+ censorship

“This series seeks to counter suppression with a joyful, unruly, fierce collection of comics highlighting and celebrating the perseverance of storytelling under fire,” says Kobabe

By Xtra Staff

Inside Xtra

Xtra earns gold medal for investigative journalism

Story about the Canadian government’s refusal to decriminalize HIV honoured at Canadian Online Publishing Awards

By Xtra Staff

Censorship

Book ban lists from Edmonton, Calgary school districts released

The Alberta government has mandated that school libraries remove titles with “inappropriate” content

By Cody Corrall, Mel Woods

Politics

Activists hope to harness queer rage for midterm wins

As U.S. midterms approach, LGBTQ2S+ activists are mobilizing to give homophobic and transphobic politicians the boot

By Rohan Zhou-Lee

Justice

Advocates mount new challenge to Alberta anti-trans law

Skipping Stone and Egale Canada are headed back to court to try and overturn Alberta’s youth gender-affirming-care ban

By Cody Corrall, Mel Woods

Inside Xtra

Xtra nominated for two GLAAD awards

Senior editor Mel Woods has been nominated for ‘Outstanding Online or Print Journalism Article,’ and Xtra has been nominated for ‘Outstanding Independent Journalism’

By Xtra Staff