Politics

Randall Garrison’s white paper on trans health and safety a call for the government to act

ANALYSIS: Breaking down the recent White Paper on the Status of Trans and Gender Diverse People

By Dale Smith

Xtra News Flash

An F-you to drag bans from boygenius, plus two trans healthcare bans overturned

Just 2 of the 5 queer and trans stories we’re watching: June 30

By Maddy Mahoney

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

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

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

Pink Ticket Travel

Mexico City, New York, Toronto, Madrid… at which Pride in which city are you celebrating?

Attention: We’ve arrived at peak party season

By Paul Gallant

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

Queer Culture Catch-Up

Black trans town hall, masc films, Manuel Betancourt’s ‘The Male Gazed’ and Cher, Cher, Cher

Plus, for those in Toronto, queer music from NXNE

By S. Bear Bergman

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

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

Music

The band Pantayo want ‘honeys to pop the booty on the dance floor’

The Filipinx kulintang ensemble explores explicit desires on their second album

By Jesse Locke

Education

York Catholic school board votes against flying Pride flag: students plan walkout in protest

Ontario’s education minister says schools should “do the right thing” and celebrate Pride, but will not mandate flying the Pride flag

By Julia Peterson

Art & Photography

Meet the artist who turned over 500 drag performers into Lego minifigures

Drag and Lego superfan Brick Queens YVR has been sharing unique “Drag Race” fan art every day for over three years

By Phoebe Fuller

Sports

If MLB wants to support its LGBTQ2S+ fan base, it can’t play both sides

OPINION: Why pitting Christians versus Pride Nights is a terrible “compromise”

By Katelyn Burns

Xtra News Flash

Canada promises $1.5 million for Pride security, Dannii Minogue announces Sapphic dating show, Ukraine civil union law has unlikely supporter, Russia doles out fines for ‘LGBT propaganda,’ and LGBTQ+-only sea shanty choir.

5 queer stories we’re watching: June 5

By Eve Cable

Monthly Tune-Up

Hot new music from Devours, Witch Prophet, Alex Lahey, Jessie Ware and Tafari Anthony

Plus a great non-binary anthem from External Signal

By Jordan Currie