Human Rights

Queer Iraqis are being detained and abused by police, according to new report

Advocates are calling on the international community to speak out about the struggles LGBTQ+ people face in the country

By Oliver Haug

Justice

U.N. calls to repeal laws criminalizing lesbian sex in historic declaration

Victory by a Sri Lankan activist may impact 43 countries which outlaw sexual relations between women

By Nico Lang

Politics

Canadian immigration minister Sean Fraser says he’s committed to LGBTQ2S+ refugees

But the crisis in Ukraine may prove intractable, especially for trans women fleeing the violence

By Dale Smith

Power

A record number of Americans support LGBTQ2S+ non-discrimination laws, same-sex marriage

Eight in 10 Americans support equal protection for LGBTQ2S+ people

By Nico Lang

Power

LGBTQ+ Ukrainians are in trouble. Here’s how you can help

With LGBTQ+ Ukrainians under threat by Putin, here’s a list of organizations and crowdfunding campaigns you can support

By Ursula Muñoz S.

Xtra Weekly

Topline: Things need to get better for everybody, not just some people

It’s hard to watch crackdowns on LGBTQ+ people in China and other countries

By Paul Gallant

Politics

India’s LGBTQ+ community faces daunting challenges in the era of COVID-19

The decriminalization of homosexuality has meant little on the streets of India

By Pratyush Dayal

Identity

The problem with passing

For many, it’s a survival measure. But when passing becomes weaponized by cis people, it’s counterintuitive to our very existence

By Niko Stratis

Opinion

Trans liberation can’t happen until we abolish prisons

For queer and trans people, policing and imprisonment come with deadly consequences. Instead of reforms, it’s time to consider ending incarceration altogether

By Alex V Green

Hate Watch

From despair to inspiration to action in Chechnya

Neal Baer, an executive producer of the HBO documentary ‘Welcome to Chechnya,’ on why the world’s attention must turn to the country

By KC Hoard

Human Rights

The world in 10: Nine flashpoints and one bright spot in the global fight for LGBTQ rights

As Pride is marked around the globe, we take a look at the places where rights are under attack and one nation that has seen recent victories

By Paul Gallant

Identity

Go ahead, transition

Trans and non-binary people are rarely afforded the freedom to express desire and alter who they are. It’s time to change that

By Alex V Green

Politics

Why Peter MacKay is questioning trans rights

The Conservative leadership hopeful criticized an opponent’s support for trans people in a recent email blast to supporters. It’s a reminder of the stark division between gay rights and trans rights in Canada

By Erica Lenti

My Queer Kitchen

Is a big bite of comfy, cheesy carbs really going to save us right now?

You bet, says chef Jennifer E. Crawford. This week, they offer sage advice on comfort food and self-care while cooking up arancheezies—that’s arancini made with Cheezies—from their pandemic pantry

By Jennifer E. Crawford

TV & Film

Rachel Mason’s parents built a legendary gay porn empire; she made a movie about it

‘Circus of Books’ chronicles the important role the Masons played in Los Angeles and LGBTQ2 history

By Tre’vell Anderson

Hate Watch

Tanzania is still arresting and persecuting LGBTQ people

Four years ago, the Tanzanian government began targeting queer and trans communities. Since then, life has gotten exponentially more difficult for LGBTQ folks

By Nico Lang

Identity

I wanted to marry my trans girlfriend in the U.K. I can’t

How archaic laws across the pond fail to recognize trans-affirming marriages

By V.S. Wells

Politics

This U.S. naval officer is suing over Trump’s trans military ban

In a landmark lawsuit, Jane Doe is fighting the U.S. Pentagon to serve as a trans woman

By Nico Lang