Canadian census asks about sexual orientation for first time

Experts say the data will boost understanding of the economic, health and social inequities faced by LGBTQ2S+ people

Tech

This former OnlyFans creator wants to make sexy content better for everyone

From Calgary to OnlyFans to Silicon Valley—Grant McNaughton’s journey has led him to build his own platform for X-rated videos

By Kevin Hurren

HIV/AIDS

Toronto man set to be the first Canadian cured of HIV

The patient received a stem cell transplant for his cancer that acted as a “double cure” because it contained a rare genetic mutation resistant to HIV

By Cody Corrall, Ziya Jones

Media

Only 1 in 5 ‘New York Times’ news stories about trans issues quote actual trans people: report

A new ‘Assigned Media’ report found that the ‘New York Times’ rarely cited trans people in coverage about trans issues

By Cody Corrall, Mel Woods

Censorship

The ‘nationwide book ban bill’ follows a familiar playbook

The bill would restrict students from reading about queer and trans people

By Sophie Hurwitz

History

The surprisingly long history of gender mapping

Visual tools to teach about gender, sex and sexuality have existed for over a hundred years, despite recent backlash

By Eli Erlick

We've Been Here

The radical legacy of ‘On Our Backs’ magazine

“On Our Backs” filled a void by authentically documenting—and celebrating—lesbian sexuality

By Cody Corrall

Social Media

Instagram activism has a nuance problem

Panic around a recent Alberta legislature bathroom ban petition comes from a well-intentioned place, but it may be doing more harm than good

By Mel Woods

Politics

Mark Carney’s majority likely won’t help queer and trans people

After this week’s byelection results, Carney’s governing Liberals will have more unchecked power. But the party has moved away from its old progressive politics

By Dale Smith

We've Been Here

The haunting photographs of Peter Hujar

Photographer Peter Hujar’s work revelled in eroticism, pain and the thin line between life and death

By Cody Corrall

Politics

Pride flag returns to Stonewall after sudden removal

The Pride flag at Stonewall National Monument was taken down after a crackdown on “improper partisan ideology” in federal landmarks

By Cody Corrall, Mel Woods

Social Media

How a Canadian social media age ban would impact trans people of all ages

Whether it’s requiring government ID or scanning users’ faces, digital age-verification tools pose a host of problems for queer and trans people

By Cody Corrall, Mel Woods

Identity

A ‘life coach’ for queerness? It’s increasingly popular

Queer life coaches promise to support people in coming out, dating and finding community. But the reviews are mixed

By Lois Shearing

Politics

Democracy is under attack in Alberta. Queer and trans people are in the crossfire

Attacking queer rights is a part of the province’s larger democratic backslide

By Dale Smith

Censorship

Popular women’s sexual health Instagram hit with sudden Meta ban

The ban on Bellesa Boutique’s page, which caters to women and queer people, comes amidst a bigger crackdown on sex content

By Cody Corrall, Ziya Jones

Books

Sara Ahmed says we need more complainers, not less

Whether it’s queer community, academic or government institutions, the feminist scholar says there’s value in complaints

By Rhea Rollmann

Education

Alberta law aims to ban ‘ideology,’ non-government flags in schools

Bill 25, introduced in the legislature this week, will prohibit teachers and school districts from promoting or taking stances “social or ideological” issues

By Cody Corrall, Mel Woods

History

A very homosexual history of beefcake magazines

In the 1950s, ‘physique’ magazines sold more than just eye candy—they offered community and connection for isolated gay men

By Jake Hall