Fall boozily in love with London’s queer performance scene

From seedy dives and lavishly decorated halls to twisted drag and acerbic social commentary, here are the venues and shows to check out this summer

By Toby Reynolds

Speed Date

Speed Date with comedian and TikTok star Isabel Kanaan

The executive producer, writer and performer says she wanted to create a sketch comedy show with a different point of view

By Lito Howse

Comedy

Cameron Esposito on the changing world of stand-up and new possibilities for young queers

Later this month, the queer icon will perform at Just For Laughs Vancouver

By Mel Woods

Speed Date

Speed Date with comedian Joel Kim Booster

The actor, writer, producer chats about his hit film “Fire Island” and comedy special “Psychosexual”

By Lito Howse, Mel Woods

TV & Film

Joel Kim Booster on saucy rom-com ‘Fire Island,’ friendship with Bowen Yang and learning to say no

The “Fire Island” writer and star spoke about his new movie, stand-up and ruling the world

By Mel Woods

Comedy

ALOK on stand-up comedy, love as ‘daily practice’ and non-binary joy

The multi-hyphenate performer says joy can be “worldmaking”

By Mel Woods

Music

The long lost musical project of ‘The Kids in the Hall’ alums Scott Thompson and Paul Bellini finally gets its due

Their 1980s art punk band Mouth Congress is making up for lost time

By Jesse Locke

Books

Harvey Fierstein tells almost all in his star-studded new memoir about Brooklyn, Broadway and beyond

We interview one of the first out powerhouses of American showbiz about his life on and off stage, and about why endings are so important

By S. Bear Bergman

Speed Date

Speed Date with comedian Mae Martin

This enby heartthrob discusses non-binary representation in comedy

By Chelle Turingan, Mel Woods

Comedy

Mae Martin and Brandon Ash-Mohammed on making their fellow icons laugh

“Last One Laughing: Canada” is a refreshingly silly balm to the current comedy conversation

By Mel Woods

News

Here’s what happened at the Netflix trans workers walkout

Elliot Page, Dan Levy, Wanda Sykes and others shared their support

By Mel Woods

Culture

7 trans comics to watch instead of Dave Chappelle

Literally every single one of them is funnier than that guy Netflix gave millions to

By Mel Woods

Queer Culture Catch-Up

Jillian Christmas’ queer femme slam poetry extravaganza

And other recommendations for what’s up and what’s on, beginning Oct. 7

By S. Bear Bergman

Culture

People are calling out the vile transphobia in Dave Chappelle’s new Netflix special

The comedian said “he’s done” with queer and trans jokes, yet filled a special with them

By Mel Woods

Music

Eve Parker Finley’s smooth moves between music and comedy has built her an impressive fan base

The Montreal musician has a strategy for dealing with fans who think they really know her

By Nour Abi-Nakhoul

TV & Film

Everything queer coming to streaming platforms in August

From “The L Word” reboot and another lesbian historical drama to the recent gay romance “Boy Meets Boy” and a drag musical

By Sarah Taher

Tik Talk

Queer comedians have found a new voice on TikTok

Without a stage for the past year and a half, many queer comedians have taken to TikTok

By Mel Woods

The Xtra Long Read

After more than two years of Bolsonaro, queer Brazilian artists and entertainers feel like they’re losing ground

The unexpected death of comedian Paulo Gustavo has focused attention on the government’s disregard for LGBTQ+ culture

By Nicole Froio