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

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

Xtra Explains

Xtra Explains: ‘Trans-Trenders’ and social contagion theory

The rapid-onset gender dysphoria theory has been debunked. Here’s what you need to know

By Mel Woods

Xtra Explains

Xtra Explains: Trans girls and sports

Debunking some of the biggest myths around trans girls and fairness in sports

By Mel Woods

Xtra Explains

Xtra Explains: Inclusive sex education in Canada

SOGI curriculum and comprehensive sexuality education are vital resources to a young person’s education

By Mel Woods

Inside Xtra

Introducing Xtra Explains: Trans Youth

The 10-part video series provides shareable, fact-checked info on the hot-button issues of the debate around trans youth and their health

By Mel Woods

Culture

The surprising queer utopia of Duolingo

ANALYSIS: From LGBTQ+ characters in their lessons to hunky owls in the streets, Duolingo’s blend of inclusivity and absurdity has me primed for my next lesson

By Jon Heggestad

Books

In ‘American Teenager,’ trans youth get to speak for themselves

Nico Lang’s book takes us into the lives of seven trans youth across the U.S.

By Ziya Jones

Politics

With introduction of anti-trans policies, Danielle Smith rewrites the rules

OPINION: The Alberta premier is aiming to frame the passionate defence of trans youth as the unhinged stance

By Dale Smith

Dangerous Space

To combat transphobia, we need to engage with the people who spread it

OPINION: opening up a dialogue with those we disagree with is key if we want to achieve widespread social change

By Kai Cheng Thom

Identity

At 40, I celebrate aging as proof of queer survival

Entering middle age, I do not fear death, because it has been a constant companion for me since my 20s

By Blyth Barnow

Dangerous Space

“Transing the gay away” is a fear-mongering myth

OPINION: The narrative allows “gender critical” activists to deflect accusations of bigotry—and that’s dangerous

By Kai Cheng Thom

Sports

Paralympians say the fight for queer- and trans-inclusive parasport continues

Ahead of the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, athletes speak to the movement to make parasport more inclusive

By John Loeppky

Transphobia

Will Imane Khelif’s complaint against J.K. Rowling change anything?

ANALYSIS: The Algerian boxer has named Rowling in a cyberharassment complaint following the author’s transphobic tweets during the Paris Olympics

By Jude Ellison S. Doyle

Books

Black lesbian poet Cheryl Clarke shares her life’s work in new collection

With “Archive of Style,” Clarke cements her place in the Black feminist poetry canon

By Dani Janae

Media

Jael Holzman is sounding the alarm

The trans punk rocker and journalist on writing through rage and the how the media needs to change its coverage of the anti-trans movement

By Oliver Haug

Sports

Fact-checking misinformation around Olympic boxing and gender

No, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif is not a man. She’s not a trans woman either

By Xtra Video