Prepare to be disappointed in party platforms this election season

The NDP, Conservatives and Liberals could be doing much more for LGBTQ2S+ Canadians. Instead, they’re doling out a lot of the same empty promises

By Dale Smith

Xtra Weekly

Topline: What good is sitting alone in your room?

LGBTQ2S+ cinematic history provides a critical lifeline to a queer newbie during lockdown

By Morgan Lightle

Power

Queer Canadians make way less money than straight men: report

Queer people face economic, health and social inequalities than hetero guys just don’t

By Mel Woods

Culture

3 political campaign lessons from queer TV

Justin Trudeau has a lot to learn from Bette Porter’s “L Word” mayoral campaign

By Mel Woods

Politics

Jill Andrew’s revolutionary politics

As the first openly queer Black MPP in Ontario, the Toronto-based politician wants to build a more inclusive province in the wake of COVID-19

By Samantha Peters

Politics

What are conscience rights and why are they in the Conservative platform?

What Erin O’Toole’s pledge to defend conscience rights means for LGBTQ2S+ people

By Mel Woods

Xtra Weekly

Topline: Ever wondered what it’s like coming out to South Asian parents?

Coming out to my noncommunicative Indian parents over FaceTime was a journey—one that’s not quite over yet

By Karan Saxena

Identity

A trans man modelled nude for 150 photographers, and fell in love with his body

Xtra contributor Andy Bandyopadhyay wanted to see artful, intimate portraits of trans men, so he made his own

By Andy Bandyopadhyay

The Xtra Long Read

Suicidal ideation, my intrusive visitor

Culturally, we fear talking about suicide. But for Niko Stratis, speaking openly about suicidal ideation was the only way to end its stigma

By Niko Stratis

Politics

How to tell if that ‘feminist’ election group is actually anti-trans

As the federal writ drops, TERFs will be out claiming to “protect women”

By Mel Woods

Protest and Pleasure

A revolution led by sex workers

In the final installment of the “Protest and Pleasure” series: why trans women of colour sex workers are the thot leaders we need

By Chanelle Gallant

Identity

12 LGBTQ2S+ emojis we need now

New emojis are added to the Emojipedia yearly, but we still have some suggestions

By Mel Woods

Inside Xtra

A federal election?! Don’t worry, Xtra has you covered

Senior politics editor Erica Lenti gives you a sneak peek into our extensive coverage of the forthcoming Canadian election

By Erica Lenti

Politics

This Conservative MP’s call to study poppers may just be the right move

Michelle Rempel Garner’s open letter to the minister of health is an example of true allyship—if it doesn’t become an election punchline

By Dale Smith

Culture

Pride had its moments, but I’m still not ready for ‘normal’

Vancouver Pride arrived toward the end of the 2021 Pride season. But were things good enough yet to be “normal”?

By Mel Woods

Queer Culture Catch-Up

Communing butch voices, dance documentaries and writers on writing

Our recommendations for what’s up and what’s on, beginning Aug. 12

By S. Bear Bergman

TV & Film

From a drag queen street fighter biopic to a trans musical to star-crossed lovers in Kenya

These cinematic portrayals of Black queer life from around the world are as diverse as our community

By Valerie Complex

Xtra Weekly

Topline: The X-tacy of non-binary gender markers

As a non-binary person of trans experience in the U.S., Tre’vell Anderson is looking forward to options beyond “male” and “female” on government-issued ID

By Tre’vell Anderson