Topline: The delightful mess of offline human interaction

I’ve been finding myself feeling both socially anxious and desperate for company—and Zoom isn’t helping

How the fight to legalize gay marriage in the U.S. was kickstarted by a PR stunt in Hawaii

Bill Woods thought his plot to procure marriage licences for gay couples would make news on the islands. He didn’t think, 25 years later, it would make history

By Sasha Issenberg

Tik Talk

In these trying times, thank goodness for the TikTok butches in bikinis

How fun and sexy queer TikTok trends are a blessed balm for the hell of the world

By Mel Woods

Dispatch

After a year in isolation, returning to Pride was an exercise in finding joy

L.A.-based writer Jon Higgins reflects on Pride Day at Universal Studios, and the thrill of being surrounded by community again

By Jon Higgins

Identity

Summer swimwear solutions for all genders and bodies

From binding at the beach to size-inclusive options, queer and trans folks are finding ways to look cool and comfortable

By Mel Woods

Dispatch

How I survived lockdown with my parents after coming out to them as trans

As India battled through yet another wave of COVID-19 outbreaks and I couldn’t leave home, I told my family who I really am

By Urmi Bhattacheryya

Activism

How small towns are celebrating Pride Month

Xtra catches up with the folks from our “Small Town Pride” documentary to see what Pride is like during a pandemic

By Riley Sparks

Identity

12 queer and trans trailblazing athletes you should know

Carl Nassib is the first openly gay active NFL player. But countless queer and trans athletes paved the way for his historic disclosure

By Mel Woods

The Xtra Long Read

What does Pride look like in a post-pandemic world?

Pride festivals around the world are grappling with the aftermath of COVID-19, a global racial reckoning and corporate criticisms. At Pride Toronto, managing the future of the event means tackling it all head-on

By Cameron Perrier

Xtra Weekly

Topline: Behold the 2021 Pride campaign hall of shame

Was there a single queer person in the room when these ads were conceived?

By Erica Lenti

Identity

Why Carl Nassib’s coming out is such a big deal

The NFL has its first openly gay active player. But is the historically problematic league ready?

By Mel Woods

Identity

More than 1 million Canadians identify as LGBTQ2S+

New Statistics Canada data show the diversity of Canada’s queer community

By Mel Woods

Books

Poet jaye simpson isn’t interested in being relatable. Maybe that makes them even more relatable

The Two-Spirit Oji-Cree Saulteaux writer’s debut collection was nominated for three literary awards

By Jas Morgan

TV & Film

Mae Martin talks ‘Feel Good,’ comedy and John Wick as gender

The Canadian comedian shares their thoughts on standup, queerness and the second season of their acclaimed Netflix show

By Mel Woods

Xtra Weekly

Topline: Strength in numbers

In the face of increased violence, LGBTQ2S+ folks must come together

By Ziya Jones

Identity

After transitioning during the pandemic, trans people return to the unknown of real-world interactions

The awkwardness of a transition is a lot easier to negotiate when there’s no one to impress. But what happens when we go back to our pre-COVID-19 ways?

By Jude Ellison S. Doyle

Identity

Please let Billie Eilish do what she wants

The singer was accused of queerbaiting in a recent music video, but it’s a lot more complicated than that

By Mel Woods

The Xtra Long Read

Inside Canada’s chronically underfunded trans-affirming clinics

Despite more outward support for the community, legal protections and greater visibility, trans and other LGBTQ2S+ care isn’t being prioritized in the country. And when it is, financial barriers abound

By Sarah Ratchford