Proud Lives

Remembering the life and activism of Michael Hendricks

Hendricks, who died this month at 84, left an indelible mark on Canadian queer history

By Matthew Hays

Business

Tim Hortons and the no good very bad ‘Harry Potter’ collaboration

Tim Hortons licensing “Harry Potter” in 2026 essentially means directly funding J.K. Rowling’s anti-trans crusade

By Mel Woods

Pride

Pride organizers to ‘strengthen’ security following attack in Berlin

Pride organizations in Vancouver, Montreal and Ottawa are assuring patrons they will be able to celebrate safely at upcoming Pride events

By Mel Woods

Music

Carole Pope wants Chappell Roan to know who she is

“Antidiva” solidifies the Canadian rock star’s legendary status—from her iconic crotch-grab to her contemporary impact

By Rosie Long Decter

Politics

Jamil Jivani’s comments about Pride show how he wants you to hate him

The Conservative MP’s culture war posts about Prime Minister Mark Carney’s attendance at Toronto Pride are bait for persecution points

By Dale Smith

Pop culture

This university professor is bringing ‘Heated Rivalry’ to the classroom

Through a lecture series and syllabus, UBC’s JP Catungal encourages discussions about what Shane Hollander’s Japanese-Canadian identity means in the world of “Heated Rivalry”

By Jacob Aron Leung

Inside Xtra

Xtra wins gold at the Canadian Association of Journalists’ annual gala

Read our award-winning investigation about an online scam targeting global activists

By Xtra Staff

Youth

New study finds Canadian trans youth rarely detransition

A group of Canadian researchers found that 97 percent of youth who seek treatment for gender dysphoria still identify as trans years later

By Mel Woods

Politics

At Pride flag raising, Mark Carney celebrates doing the bare minimum for Pride

The Prime Minister’s remarks on Parliament Hill this week are a lot of talk, but not much action

By Dale Smith

We've Been Here

The bleak history of the Toronto bathhouse raids

In 1981, Toronto police arrested nearly 300 gay men as part of a six-month undercover operation called “Operation Soap”

By Cody Corrall

Religion

The Anglican Church is an imperfect place, but I still found my way back

As a trans woman, I’ve returned to the church on my own terms; I’m working with others to tear down the barriers that drive difference away

By Charlotte Sheasby

Pride

Canada Post just debuted four new stamps honouring queer historic sites

Places of Pride features four new postage stamps commemorating places and events that are pivotal to the country’s queer history

By Cody Corrall, Mel Woods

Activism

Toronto is making an ambitious bid to return the Village to its roots

From eliminating cars to bringing back queer organizations, advocates are fighting to protect the gaybourhood’s identity

By Denio Lourenco

Politics

What you need to know about new B.C. Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay

The new leader of British Columbia’s official opposition has said she’d ban gender-affirming care for young people if elected premier

By Mel Woods

Justice

How Canadian law leaves poly people behind

An outdated section of the Criminal Code leaves polyamorous partners in a “legal grey area”

By Eve Cable

Politics

Alberta separatism is not inevitable

Separatists are a small minority in the province—they should not be dictating the agenda for Alberta and the country

By Dale Smith

Politics

Canada’s national pharmacare plan helps trans people—so why isn’t the program expanding?

Politicians across the country have accused the federal Liberal government of stalling expansion of the plan

By Kevin Hurren

Identity

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

By Emma Bainbridge