Work

Drag artists are workers, and protests are putting them in danger

With anti-drag protests intensifying and spilling across borders, drag artists worldwide are losing gigs and fearing violence

By Jake Hall

Politics

Tourism minister talks special envoy for international queer rights

Randy Boissonnault pledges to continue work on LGBTQ2S+ issues, including a special envoy

By Dale Smith

Education

New Brunswick premier’s attack on trans students is unconstitutional

OPINION: Blaine Higgs’ push for parental rights will harm trans kids

By Florence Ashley

Xtra News Flash

Fox News altering news to be anti-trans, First Nations community sees first Pride, Pride marchers detained in Turkey, British LGBT Awards drop corporate sponsors, and former Disney star says they were fired after coming out

5 queer and trans stories we’re watching: June 26

By Eve Cable

Xtra News Flash

Wyoming sorority supports trans sisters, Elon Musk says ‘cis’ is a slur, U.K. politicians driving anti-drag sentiment, Florida trans care ban struck down, Starbucks union strike

5 queer and trans stories we’re watching: June 23

By Maddy Mahoney

Politics

Democrats have reintroduced the Equality Act yet again

OPINION: We need more than a single piece of legislation to protect queer and trans lives

By Katelyn Burns

Politics

Poilievre’s silence on harassment is cause for concern

OPINION: Whether or not he attends Pride, he’s made his indifference toward LGBTQ2S+ safety known

By Dale Smith

Xtra News Flash

Judge blocks Arkansas trans healthcare ban, Estonia may legalize same-sex marriage, federal court protects discrimination against queer people, Spanish town bans LGBTQ+ flag, Italy looks to cancel birth certificates of lesbian couples

5 queer and trans stories we’re watching: June 21

By Jackie Richardson

Hate Watch

Christian nationalists fuelling anti-LGBTQ2S+ agenda across Canada

Christian groups that rose to prominence in last year’s Freedom Convoy have turned their “language of genocide” on LGBTQ2S+ Canadians

By Kevin Maimann

Xtra News Flash

Pixar non-binary character, Rishi Sunak makes transphobic comments, South Korean Pride clashes, Moldova Pride is peaceful and Trump-appointed judge blocks Indiana trans ban

5 queer and trans stories we’re watching: June 19

By Eve Cable

Xtra News Flash

Social media companies score low for LGBTQ2S+ safety, Kelowna track meet transphobia, Dodgers Pride night updates, Club Q shooter expected to take plea deal, and U.K. women can now have historic gay sex convictions thrown out

5 queer and trans stories we’re watching: June 16

By Eve Cable

Xtra News Flash

First out non-binary Tony winners, trans cyclist wins gold, N.B. transphobic school rules, Missouri gender-affirming care ban and Troye Sivan teases new music

5 queer and trans stories we’re watching: June 12

By Eve Cable

Politics

Feds and Fierté Canada Pride partner to disperse $1.5 million in emergency funds for Pride security

Insurance costs and new safety measures are already impacting events across the country

By Dale Smith

Politics

Florida’s ban on gender-affirming care for youth has been blocked. We need to celebrate that victory

OPINION: No civil rights movement can exist, much less thrive, without hope

By Katelyn Burns

Pride

‘We’re very fearful’: Pride organizers prepare for the worst as they gear up for June festivals

An increase in anti-LGBTQ2S+ hate has forced some events to cancel, while others hire more security and take up emergency training

By Kevin Maimann

Xtra News Flash

House floor RuPaul tribute, Biden’s new LGBTQ2S+ initiatives, Florida con bans ‘cross-dressing cosplay,’ new Vancouver health centre, first trans man judge in U.S. and Sam Smith x Madonna collab

6 queer and trans stories we’re watching: June 9

By Maddy Mahoney

Immigration & Refugees

Canadian government partners with Rainbow Railroad to resettle queer and trans refugees

More LGBTQ+ refugees will be resettled faster under new partnership plan

By Dale Smith

Politics

‘It would really change the landscape.’ Two-Spirit trans activist Monica Forrester reflects on her mayoral candidacy

Forrester entered the race to hold candidates to account on the issues affecting Toronto’s most marginalized communities

By Julia Peterson