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

Power

One year later, LGBTQ2S+ businesses are still struggling to stay afloat

Queer- and trans-owned businesses were some of the hardest hit by COVID-19. Now, their survival hinges on how vital customers think they are

By Rob Csernyik

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

Politics

All parties get to wear the failure to ban conversion therapy in Canada

Bill C-6, which would have prohibited the harmful practice on a national level, did not pass through the Senate—and there’s plenty of blame to share across party lines

By Dale Smith

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

The Xtra Long Read

After more than two years of Bolsonaro, queer Brazilian artists and entertainers feel like they’re losing ground

The unexpected death of comedian Paulo Gustavo has focused attention on the government’s disregard for LGBTQ+ culture

By Nicole Froio

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

Protest and Pleasure

The future is Indigiqueer

In the fourth installment of the “‘Protest and Pleasure”’ series, how Indigenous peoples and nations are building the pathway to sexual and gender liberation

By Chanelle Gallant

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