For LGBTQ2S+ people with spina bifida, connection is everything

To mark spina bifida awareness month, queer and trans folks with the condition share their anger, their hopes and their joys

By Dev Ramsawakh

Politics

‘Deeply concerned’: Anti-LGBTQ2S+ candidates are running for school boards across Ontario

More than 20 candidates across the province are recycling old dog whistles to attack trans rights

By V.S. Wells

Activism

Toronto’s queer community denounces incoming police chief’s appointment, demands a public meeting

Myron Demkiw was involved in a raid of a queer women’s bathhouse event that a judge later found to be a violation of the attendees’ charter rights

By Diamond Yao

TV & Film

Tegan Quin talks ‘High School,’ new album and discovering TikTok twins

With “Crybaby” and “High School” dropping this month, Tegan and Sara are booked and busy

By Mel Woods

Power

LGBTQ2S+ Ontarians face disproportionate barriers to buying and renting homes, new report says

Survey results show a need for significant public policy changes to ensure equitable access to housing

By Mzwandile Poncana

Politics

Meet the queer documentarian joining Elizabeth May on the Green Party leadership ballot

Jonathan Pedneault discusses his joint Green Party leadership bid

By Dale Smith

Politics

In a historic first, an out trans man was just elected to a school board in Canada

“I hear so loud and clear that people want to move forward,” Teri Westerby tells Xtra following his historic victory

By Jackie Richardson

Politics

Albertan activists on Premier Danielle Smith’s ‘horrendous’ record on LGBTQ2S+ issues

Four LGBTQ2S+ activists in Alberta tell Xtra what the new premier may mean for their province and community

By V.S. Wells

Politics

Alberta’s new premier has an alarming LGBTQ2S+ rights history

Danielle Smith refused to condemn a candidate for her Wildrose Party in 2012 after he said LGBTQ2S+ people would suffer in a “lake of fire”

By V.S. Wells

Identity

For queer Asians, community means family

After pandemic lockdowns and anti-Asian violence, LGBTQ2S+ Asians across Canada are coming together with a vengeance

By Diamond Yao

Health

Can injectable PrEP live up to the hype?

Following years of oral PrEP’s slow uptake, a new innovation is generating excitement around the highly effective drug

By Kevin Hurren

Housing

Ahmed Hussen talks LGBTQ2S+ housing

The Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion speaks to how the federal government plans to address housing issues faced by queer and trans people

By Dale Smith

Immigration & Refugees

LGBTQ+ Afghan refugees are starting new lives in Canada—but hundreds are still stuck in limbo

A year after the Taliban takeover, advocates are urging the government to welcome more queer refugees and make arriving in Canada easier

By Emma Arkell

Power

The Pride organization in this Saskatchewan city voted to dissolve after discovering over $100,000 of debt

Moose Jaw Pride has already stopped all programming and services, including a gender-affirming care fund

By Maddy Mahoney

Identity

A love letter to video game vixens

One writer pays tribute to the video game characters that have helped LGBTQ2S+ folks feel at home in their queerness

By Bobby Box

Power

Alberta’s teachers registry is outing trans teachers

OPINION: Trans teachers already face many barriers. Registries with their deadnames are another hurdle

By j wallace skelton

Art & Photography

Of course Isabel Okoro wants the world to end

The Toronto-based Nigerian photographer thinks we deserve better than the world we’ve inherited

By Connor Garel

Love Like Mine

All I wanted was to make my family happy, until I found what made me happy

PERSONAL ESSAY: An epic love story between an Iraqi Arab and a Punjabi Sikh

By Hasan Namir