Xtra Explains

Xtra Explains: Parental rights

What does Canadian law actually say when it comes to the rights of parents and trans kids?

By Mel Woods

Violence against LGBTQ2S+

Anti-trans violence still a rising issue across North America

Perpetrators of anti-trans violence becoming emboldened, experts say

By Adam Rhodes

Politics

From Higgs to Trump, what did this fall’s elections teach Canadians?

OPINION: Ahead of a likely federal election next year, what can Canadians take away from the U.S., New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and B.C.?

By Dale Smith

TV & Film

Trans cartel musical ‘Emilia Pérez’ takes maximalist aesthetic to the extreme

REVIEW: The film’s existence raises intriguing questions about appropriate subjects for the playful machinations of French auteurs

By Veronica Esposito

Education

There is a crisis playing out in Canadian schools

The pipeline from misinformation to fear to hate is very clear, says teacher

By Rhea Rollmann

Proud Lives

5 things to know about Dorothy Allison

The lesbian feminist writer passed on Nov. 6

By Tara-Michelle Ziniuk

Politics

Canada’s queer and trans non-profits are teetering on a financial cliff

Given the current political climate, many are looking for sources of funding outside of government grants and ways to increase visibility

By Kevin Hurren

Youth

Things ‘more intense’ since Alberta policies dropped, says mom of trans kid

From issues at school to considering going out of province for care, parents say things have gotten harder in Alberta

By Ziya Jones

Video

Could Canadian conservatives copy Trump’s anti-trans messaging?

The president-elect’s final ad push—and subsequent election win—may have Canada’s right looking to lean in on anti-trans messaging

By Mel Woods

Politics

Trans issues didn’t doom the Democrats

OPINION: The Republicans won ending on a giant anti-trans note, but Democrats ultimately failed to communicate on class

By Katelyn Burns

Video

UCP AGM signals that more anti-trans laws could be coming for Alberta

Danielle Smith’s party passed resolutions at their AGM this weekend including a bathroom bill and defunding gender-affirming healthcare for all ages

By Mel Woods

Video

Celebrities, activists take red carpet at Pink Awards

Catch them here and on YouTube as LGBTQ2S+ changemakers and their champions are honoured at the inaugural celebration

By Xtra Staff

Dangerous Space

How to survive the apocalypse (again)

Wherever there is a history of homophobia and transphobia, we also find a history of our people celebrating community, mutual care and joy

By Kai Cheng Thom

Video

Alberta introduces Canada’s harshest anti-trans policies yet

Premier Danielle Smith’s government tabled three new policies on gender-affirming healthcare, pronouns in schools and trans girls in sports

By Mel Woods

Immigration & Refugees

Canada’s immigration system is failing undocumented LGBTQ+ migrants

Charles Mwangi, a bisexual refugee from Kenya, is in Canada now—but what the future holds for him is unclear

By Byron Armstrong

Politics

The state of trans rights, post 3 provincial elections

New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and B.C. voters all went to the polls, and largely rejected anti-trans rhetoric, but there are still some alarming trends

By Caitlin Hart

Activism

Higgs’s defeat a relief to New Brunswick activists, but fight continues

A new Liberal government doesn’t automatically mean the undoing of a year and a half of anti-LGBTQ2S+ policy changes

By Rhea Rollmann

Xtra Explains

Xtra Explains: When do kids figure out gender?

Trans youth are all over the news. But what does research say about age and gender?

By Mel Woods