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

My Safe Space

Amid canned foods and dishes, I found pandemic solitude in my pantry

I needed a place to ground myself, a place of solitude, of familiarity, of nourishment. I needed the pantry

By Allyson Darling

Hate Watch

Here’s what we know so far about the attack on a Toronto gay man

A 24-year-old man sustained injuries after an aggravated assault at a popular Toronto LGBTQ2S+ meeting space

By Krishna Rau

Identity

What’s so good about being natural?

By arguing against allegations of trans unnaturalness with proof of our naturalness, we’re agreeing with our vilifiers’ idea that being natural is somehow significant in the first place

By Nour Abi-Nakhoul

Xtra Weekly

Topline: Celebrating LGBTQ2S+ Indigenous futures for National Indigenous History Month

June honours both queer and Indigenous communities—and to celebrate, here’s some amazing Indigenous LGBTQ2S+ creators and artists who inspire us

By Rachel Giese

Parenting

The cost of building a family

Ken McNeilly wants the Canadian government to make tax credits more fair for queer men—and others—grappling with the cost of assisted reproduction

By Alison Motluk