GLAAD, one of the most prominent LGBTQ2S+ media advocacy organizations worldwide, has nominated Xtra magazine in two categories for its 37th annual Media Awards.
Senior editor Mel Woods has been nominated for “Outstanding Online or Print Journalism Article” for their piece “Trans people didn’t ask to get pulled into any of this,” about the anti-trans misinformation that proliferated in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s shooting.
Xtra was also nominated as a whole for “Outstanding Independent Journalism.”
Tara-Michelle Ziniuk, Xtra’s managing editor, says, “I can’t overstate how huge these nominations feel. Xtra has been chugging along, fighting the good fight for our communities for decades—the last one of those entirely online—and this sort of recognition is really meaningful for our team.
“And these two specific nominations are so special—one that recognizes the work we’re doing independently, without a moneyed media corporation backing us up. And one that has a trans journalist weighing in on one of the harshest media campaigns against trans people last year. It takes courage to speak up against what the mainstream media is doing, and we’re glad to see that pay off.”
“I’m overjoyed and honoured to receive this nomination for my story, and for Xtra as a whole to receive recognition from GLAAD for our work,” says Mel Woods. “For a tiny team here in Canada, getting recognition like this is a testament to the impact our work has internationally.
“The mainstream media scapegoating of trans people that happened after the death of Charlie Kirk is unfortunately not an isolated incident,” they add. “I’m honoured that GLAAD has chosen to commend our work calling this dangerous trend out for what it is. I am also hopeful that continued discussion around responsible reporting on trans people and our rights will lead to better accountability and care from mainstream media in the future.”
The GLAAD Media Awards highlight “fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of LGBTQ people and issues in film, television, gaming, music, podcasting, journalism, Spanish-Language media and more.” You can read about the nominees in all categories here. Nominees were announced Jan. 7, and the awards ceremony will take place on March 5, 2026, in Los Angeles, California.
Xtra is also a finalist for two Canadian Online Publishing Awards: contributor Denio Lourenco’s piece “This Canadian think tank is claiming ‘victory’ over anti-trans legislation” is a finalist in the “Best Investigative Article—Media” category, and contributor and former Xtra editor Arvin Joaquin’s piece “Why is the federal government still refusing to decriminalize HIV?” is a finalist in the “Best Investigative Article—Consumer” category. Finalists were announced Dec. 15, and the awards will take place on Feb. 12 in Toronto and virtually.
Xtra is the longest-serving LGBTQ2S+ publication in Canada. For more than 40 years, it has been a dedicated voice in telling the stories of queer and trans people, a segment of the population that is largely overlooked or misrepresented by large mainstream media outlets.
Previously a print product that turned solely digital in 2015, Xtra offers fresh journalistic insight, context and background on current affairs and contemporary culture. In 2023, it became the first queer publication to join the ranks of The Trust Project, an international consortium of news outlets committed to transparency, accuracy, inclusion and fairness.
Xtra is owned and operated by Pink Triangle Press, one of the longest-publishing LGBTQ2S+ media groups in the world.
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