Xtra is an online magazine and community platform covering LGBTQ2S+ culture, politics and health. We aim to break boundaries, think outside of binaries and build bridges within our communities and beyond.

Homelessness

As the homelessness crisis worsens, Gay Villages are caught at a crossroads of identity

ANALYSIS: Unhoused people are a part of our communities, so what can we do?

By Nour Abi-Nakhoul

Identity

The recent AI yearbook trend made me think about the girlhood I could have had

“I was intrigued by how it might let me have and hold something that had always seemed ephemeral and out of reach”

By Veronica Esposito

Mental Health

It’s okay to take a break from the anti-trans news cycle

OPINION: Covering rising anti-trans hatred left me burnt out and incapacitated. Taking a break made me feel guilty, but I learned no movement can stay sustainable without rest

By Katelyn Burns

Tech

The case for digital minimalism—even for the gays who love excess

ANALYSIS: Digital minimalism is more than a time-management tool; it’s a whole new mindset. How might this approach to technology benefit queer users in particular?

By Jon Heggestad

Queering Death

Queering grief means showing up in all our messy glory

Let’s collectively imagine how we might build a world where we all feel abundantly supported when we’re grieving

By Zena Sharman

Xtra News Flash

JoJo Siwa’s Candace Owens smackdown, Title IX disappointment, L.A. drag march, new crisis hotline for youth, EU vs. Hungary and a Canadian response to anti-drag protests

6 queer and trans stories we’re watching: April 10

By Eve Cable

Activism

Prisoner Correspondence Project brings comfort and hope to LGBTQ2S+ prisoners across North America

Studies show that pen pal systems like this one can lead to better mental health and rehabilitation outcomes for incarcerated people

By Mzwandile Poncana

Mental Health

This group is bringing queer mental health support to Afghanistan

Two and a half years after Sarah Hegazi’s death, Nour Sarah aims to tackle mental health struggles

By Nour Abi-Nakhoul

Health

Black trans and non-binary youth are at a high risk of suicide, per new study

New data from The Trevor Project reveals one in four Black trans youth reported a suicide attempt in the past year

By Mzwandile Poncana

Mental Health

Trans and queer folks can’t solely rely on our resilience to survive

Perhaps LGBTQ2S+ writers, creatives and historians can teach us how to do more than just get by

By Leigh Hendrix

Mental Health

The passing of transphobic laws increased internet searches for ‘suicide’ and ‘depression,’ study finds

The study also found that when a transphobic bill was defeated, the number of searches on those topics decreased

By Diamond Yao

Trans Health

Yet another study shows gender-affirming care leads to better, long-lasting mental health for trans youth

Participants of the study showed increased life satisfaction, decreased anxiety and depression

By Claire Forth

Identity

These queer organizations are providing free binders to people in New Brunswick

While chest binders can reduce gender dysphoria, they can be expensive and difficult to access in more rural areas

By Maddy Mahoney

Trans Health

Unpacking ‘gender exploratory therapy,’ a new form of conversion therapy

The practice is sold as supportive care—but in reality, it’s used to delay transition until a person no longer identifies as trans

By Erin Reed

Policing

Last year, B.C. police killed 14 people, including queer activist and organizer Dani Cooper

OPINION: Defunding the police is a matter of queer safety

By Meenakshi Mannoe

Identity

Ireland promises conversion therapy ban this year

Meanwhile, the U.K. continues to drag its feet on its plans for a conversion therapy ban that might exclude trans people

By Maddy Mahoney

Mental Health

Queer incarcerated youth have worse mental health than their peers, new study shows

Even before incarceration, queer youth, especially queer youth of colour, are more likely to be disciplined in school

By Diamond Yao

Identity

Trans Sask releases the first detailed look at the province’s trans community

A trans-led research team spent a year compiling data from hundreds of survey responses

By V.S. Wells