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 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

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

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

Youth

Canada’s queer community needs your help

OPINION: The bankruptcy of a long-standing queer organization combined with escalating threats against queer and trans people must be a call to action

By Omid Razavi

Youth

How ‘mature minor’ laws let trans kids make their own decisions

Canadian law lets some youth make medical or legal decisions for themselves, but how does it work?

By Florence Ashley

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

Education

The next ‘parental rights’ frontier? Getting kids out of school altogether

Christian Nationalists are encouraging parents to homeschool and avoid LGBTQ2S+-inclusive education

By Emma Arkell

Mental Health

The 2024 election is taking a toll on trans mental health. Here’s how to keep it together

ANALYSIS: Telling trans people to “just vote” isn’t helpful

By Jude Ellison S. Doyle

Music

‘We never stopped performing’: Pansy Division’s Jon Ginoli on honesty, legacy and queer joy

Lead singer and lyricist reflects on the queer punk band’s album “Deflowered” ahead of their anniversary tour

By Joelle Kidd

Youth

Americans parents of trans kids to their Canadian counterparts: ‘Have a plan’

Ahead of upcoming provincial elections, parents who’ve been there share what they’ve learned from the onslaught of anti-trans hate in America

By Nico Lang

Politics

Queer and trans people should be wary of provincial parties’ shift to right

OPINION: In British Columbia, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick, the rights of queer and trans people are on the ballot

By Dale Smith

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