‘Stress Positions’ captures the uncomfortable hilarity of millennial loserdom

Writer-director Theda Hammel weighs in on her debut film, modern-day slapstick and the difference between being evil and being a loser

By Rendy Jones

Trans Health

As we reimagine our healthcare systems, we can’t leave trans people behind

OPINION: The pandemic has left healthcare on the brink of collapse. We have a chance to rebuild better

By V. Jo Hsu

TV & Film

‘Freedom From Everything’ is a puzzling documentary with too many pieces

Mike Hoolboom’s documentary reinvents Hito Steyerl’s essay of the same name and connects COVID-19 to the AIDS crisis

By Michelle Krasovitski

Mental Health

The pandemic is causing an LGBTQ2S+ mental health crisis in Canada

New polling indicates increasing rates of anxiety and depression, particularly among LGBTQ2S+ youth and people of colour

By Oliver Haug

Sexual Health

The pandemic has drastically changed the sex lives of young adults, report says

LetsStopAIDS research reveals Canadian youth are now less likely to use condoms or be treated for sexually transmitted infections

By Sydney Bauer

Business

LGBTQ2S+ businesses were disproportionately hurt by the pandemic, but less likely to receive help

Anti-LGBTQ2S+ hate groups, however, reportedly got millions in pandemic loans

By Nico Lang

Sexual Health

Feeling more anxious than usual about sex? You’re not alone

As pandemic precautions have lifted, we’re free to gather and hook up again—so why does sex still feel so anxiety-inducing?

By Bobby Box

Health

What queer people need to know about mpox

As the virus has spread in recent weeks, so has misinformation

By Kevin Hurren

Politics

Is it possible to feel anything other than dread for this Ontario election?

OPINION: We must oust Doug Ford’s incompetent clowns. But the opposition parties offer bland alternatives

By Dale Smith

Pride 2022: Party & Protest

What Pride events around the world are doing to lure you back—and what they’re doing to keep you safe

Pandemic shutdowns gave some organizers an opportunity to rethink their celebrations and make them more inclusive

By Loren Christie

Politics

Why Jason Kenney’s vile HIV/AIDS comparison struck a nerve

OPINION: The Alberta premier compared the experience of unvaccinated people now to those with HIV/AIDS in the 1980s

By Mel Woods

Health

No, anti-androgen drugs probably won’t treat COVID-19

Spironolactone and dutasteride are being touted alongside ivermectin as COVID-19 treatments, despite no proof that they actually work

By Mel Woods

Rainbow Rewind 2021

The year in love and sex

6 stories that defined the way we loved and lusted in 2021

By Ziya Jones

Ask Kai: Quickies

My partner and I are vaccinated, but my partner’s parents are not

With the Omicron variant and rising Covid-19 cases, should we be cautious about spending the holidays with family members who are unvaccinated?

By Xtra Video

Health

Rinaldo Walcott on how to build a better queer future

The writer and scholar weighs in on how a strong set of queer values can help us build a better world for everyone

By Ziya Jones

Xtra Weekly

Topline: Lights! Masks! Guest list! Just do your best at TIFF, darling!

Covering the Toronto International Film Festival has reminded me of the power and beauty of being in a room with other LGBTQ2S+ people

By Paul Gallant

Love & Sex

Despite lockdowns, my queer friend group grew during COVID-19

I needed new queers in my life, and against the odds of the pandemic, I found them in abundance

By Russ Martin

My Safe Space

I figured out my IRL drama watching ‘Vanderpump Rules’

As my own life began to feel less real, I found myself needing a dose of reality during the pandemic

By Sadie Graham