Monthly Tune-Up

August’s best queer music includes punk rock bangers from WILLOW and Pussy Riot

Soundtrack the end of your summer with smooth electropop and buoyant punk

By Jordan Currie

Politics

After nearly two decades of queer activism, this municipal candidate had to face down vile homophobic accusations recently

OPINION: The rise in online hate has made local politics a critical new battleground in LGBTQ2S+ rights

By Ariel Troster

TV & Film

‘P-Valley’ tells Black queer stories you won’t find anywhere else

The series, wrapping up Season 2 this weekend, depicts the layered experiences of Black queer Southerners with care and authenticity

By Daric L. Cottingham

Power

Montreal’s makeshift Pride march was more meaningful than any parade

Corporate Pride doesn’t reflect our roots—or a pathway to LGBTQ2S+ liberation

By Ziya Jones

Identity

Why I started a digital shrine to Justice Smith and Nic Ashe’s relationship

The actor boyfriends are the possibility models I didn’t know I needed

By Mikelle Street

Monthly Tune-Up

From bisexual R&B artist Steve Lacy’s trippy slow groove to trans rapper Mykki Blanco’s dreamy proclamation of new love

Jordan Currie programs a splendidly queer summer of music, just for you

By Jordan Currie

Culture

How did Bette Midler get to tweeting anti-trans nonsense?

OPINION: A well-orchestrated effort for years to pit cis women against trans folks is working through traditional mainstream media and straight to beloved stars

By Mel Woods

Politics

Can the Canadian Forces address their toxic culture?

OPINION: A National Defence report on systemic racism and discrimination landed in the spring with little fanfare

By Dale Smith

Music

You have spoken: the most iconic queer anthem of all time is … ‘Dancing Queen’?

Xtra readers voted and ABBA’s classic ran away with the final tally

By Mel Woods

Monthly Tune-Up

Singles from Lil Nas X, Perfume Genius and MUNA keep Pride alive

From camp excess to sapphic joy, music columnist Jordan Currie has your summer playlist ready

By Jordan Currie

Power

It happened. Roe v. Wade is overturned. Now what?

OPINION: The Supreme Court decision caps a decades-long misinformation campaign. Reproductive justice leaders from queer and trans communities might know the way forward

By Jude Ellison S. Doyle

TV & Film

‘It’s called intersectionality, bitch’: the new ‘Queer as Folk’ brings the mess of queer life

REVIEW: Stephen Dunn’s reboot flirts with so many issues it’s hard to know which one to go home with at the end of the night

By Mel Woods

Politics

Feds talk a good game when it comes to equity, but are flailing when it comes to strong data, states Auditor General report

OPINION: Gender-based analysis that includes intersectional identities is supposed to inform how government services are delivered in Canada. Ten years in, the government has little to show for its good intentions

By Dale Smith

Drag Race

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 7’ Episode 4 power ranking: Another successful blocking

Only two queens have so far failed to get a Legendary Legend Star

By Kevin O’Keeffe

Drag Race

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 7’ Episode 4 recap: Yes, and…?

An improv task fails to bring out the best in our champion queens

By Kevin O’Keeffe

Politics

What the U.S. Supreme Court decision on abortion means for gay sex and same-sex marriage—it ain’t good

OPINION: By questioning Americans’ right to privacy, the U.S. Supreme Court proves it’s capable of undoing the last two decades of LGBTQ2S+ progress

By Brenda Cossman

Monthly Tune-Up

Rina Sawayama rides a mechanical bull in hell while Remi Wolf sings tenderly of longing

This month I’m serving up everything from the melancholic warmth of sunlight streaming through stained glass to a gay one-night-stand anthem for the ages

By Jordan Currie

TV & Film

Happy corporate Pride season from Netflix’s transphobic Ricky Gervais special

OPINION: Dave Chappelle’s “The Closer” prompted a backlash in 2021.The company just decided to double down on the hate

By Mel Woods