The state of trans rights, post 3 provincial elections

New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and B.C. voters all went to the polls, and largely rejected anti-trans rhetoric, but there are still some alarming trends

By Caitlin Hart

Activism

Higgs’s defeat a relief to New Brunswick activists, but fight continues

A new Liberal government doesn’t automatically mean the undoing of a year and a half of anti-LGBTQ2S+ policy changes

By Rhea Rollmann

Xtra Explains

Xtra Explains: Inclusive sex education in Canada

SOGI curriculum and comprehensive sexuality education are vital resources to a young person’s education

By Mel Woods

Culture

The surprising queer utopia of Duolingo

ANALYSIS: From LGBTQ+ characters in their lessons to hunky owls in the streets, Duolingo’s blend of inclusivity and absurdity has me primed for my next lesson

By Jon Heggestad

Education

The next ‘parental rights’ frontier? Getting kids out of school altogether

Christian Nationalists are encouraging parents to homeschool and avoid LGBTQ2S+-inclusive education

By Emma Arkell

Politics

Queer and trans people should be wary of provincial parties’ shift to right

OPINION: In British Columbia, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick, the rights of queer and trans people are on the ballot

By Dale Smith

Education

Canadian teachers face harassment in wake of ‘parental rights’ policies

Less support and more targeting is taking a toll on educators’ mental health

By Emma Arkell

Justice

Right-wing assaults on trans rights aren’t stopping. Title IX could be a weapon against them

ANALYSIS: Protection from discrimination on the basis of sex can and should be used to protect kids like Nex Benedict

By Jude Ellison S. Doyle

Identity

‘Gender ideology,’ the new anti-LGBTQ2S+ buzzword, explained

Experts weigh in on what the term tells us about the goals, language and future of the global anti-trans movement

By Tobin Ng

Politics

Can the federal government stop Danielle Smith’s anti-trans policies?

OPINION: The answer, like the politics that surround the proposals themselves, is complex

By Dale Smith

Politics

The Alberta government is trying to legislate how you raise your kids

OPINION: The premiere’s proposed parental rights policies stomp all over families’ freedom to decide what’s best for them

By Florence Ashley

Youth

After 1 Million March, LGBTQ2S+ youth face rise in bullying and fear of outing

Youth in Ontario, Alberta, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan have reported an increase in harassment and mental distress since September

By Gabe Oatley

Politics

The cruelty and calm of Alberta’s attack on trans rights

ANALYSIS: The province’s new set of anti-trans policies are unprecedented in Canada and are as politically motivated as it gets

By Mel Woods

Education

Far-right groups turning to ‘lawfare’ tactic to push back against LGBTQ2S+ curriculum

Experts say the tactic is more about intimidation than legal enforceability

By Emma Arkell

Rainbow Rewind 2023

How the moral panic around ‘parental rights’ in Canada defined 2023

ANALYSIS: The fight to protect trans and gender-diverse kids is far from over

By Dale Smith

Justice

The legal case for teachers defying anti-trans laws

OPINION: A petition calling on teachers to violate Saskatchewan’s anti-trans Parents’ Bill of Rights could help the cause of striking it down

By Charlotte Dalwood

Trans Health

Inside the fight to add gender-affirming care to university health insurance plans

Students in British Columbia successfully campaigned to add gender affirming care to their school’s health insurance. That benefit is now available to 200,000 university students across Canada—but gaps remain

By Phoebe Fuller

Sexual Health

As a social worker, Saskatchewan’s new sex-ed policy terrifies me

OPINION: As an experienced sex educator and social worker, I know how challenging Saskatchewan’s new approach will be

By Natalya Mason