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

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

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

Pride

Canadian Pride organizations push for more stable funding

The country’s largest Pride festivals and others cite rising costs, fewer sponsors and safety concerns

By Dale Smith

TV & Film

Alex from Degrassi on finding her calling counselling queer teens

Deanna Klymkiw tells Xtra about playing the franchise’s first out lesbian, and her career pivot since

By Jacob Aron Leung

Politics

What HRT Cafe’s shutdown means for DIY care

HRT Cafe was the largest access point for DIY transition care in the U.K. before it suddenly vanished

By Cody Corrall, Ziya Jones

Politics

Banning social media for minors would hurt everyone—adults included

A social media ban would disproportionately harm queer and trans people, and restrict LGBTQ2S+ materials

By Dale Smith

Activism

This Ontario teacher and his students are filling gaps in Canada’s queer history

The HISTORYtellers Project is bringing to light LGBTQ2S+ stories left out of textbooks

By Julia Peterson

The Xtra Long Read

The many eras of the AIDS Committee of Toronto—including its final bow

As Canada’s oldest AIDS organization closes its doors after more than four decades, Xtra dives deep into its community history and why it’s come to an end

By Kevin Hurren

Politics

Where do the NDP leadership hopefuls stand on queer and trans issues?

Xtra asked candidates about their policies on healthcare, trans athletes’ participation in sports and more

By Michelle Kay

Politics

The NDP is on life support. Where does it go next?

The party is facing tough choices in their leadership race

By Dale Smith

On the Clock

Queer farmers are growing better futures

For generations, LGBTQ2S+ people fled rural areas. Now, they’re putting down roots, farming with a focus on community and the environment

By Ghazal Azizi

On the Clock

LGBTQ2S+ employment programs struggle to find funding, are unable to meet the needs of newcomers to Canada

Queer and trans immigrants rely on employment programs. Why don’t these programs get enough government money?

By Victoria Hincapie Gomez

On the Clock

For non-binary service workers, the price of authenticity is minimum wage

“They/them off, job on” started as a meme. For non-binary service workers, it’s a daily reality

By Cris Nippard

On the Clock

Work is broken. Queer and trans workers could help fix it

The five stories in Xtra’s On the Clock series show queer and trans workers searching for, fighting for and inventing work that’s fair and meaningful

By Saima Desai

Culture

Catherine O’Hara was the mother any queer person would want

O’Hara perfected the ability to play inflexible characters capable of change and emotional growth, offering generations of queer folks a form of parental wish fulfillment

By JP Larocque

Politics

Close vote on conversion therapy ban shows divided Conservative Party

While Pierre Poilievre decisively won his leadership review, his party remains muddled on where to go next

By Mel Woods

Politics

‘Democracy is a fraud’: Prolife Alberta party head identified as traditionalist Catholic writer, podcaster

Murray Ruhl’s alternate life online gives an unfiltered look at the religious right’s anti-democratic aspirations

By Brett McKay