Xtra is an online magazine and community platform covering LGBTQ2S+ culture, politics and health. We aim to break boundaries, think outside of binaries and build bridges within our communities and beyond.

Ask Kai: Advice for the Apocalypse

My white friend is calling themselves a ‘shamanic’ healer. Should I tell them to stop?

Kai Cheng Thom weighs in on boundaries, cultural appropriation and how we can all grow through conflict

By Kai Cheng Thom

Music

The ferocious beauty of Tanya Tagaq

Filmmaker Thirza Cuthand talks with the Inuk musician about her latest album, Indigenous resistance and the intersection of rage and love

By Thirza Cuthand

Power

Pride Toronto mishandled grant funding, exploited Indigenous and Two-Spirit artists, investigation finds

An independent review of the largest Pride organization in Canada is now underway

By Krishna Rau

Power

A new LGBTQ2S+ council will advise the Assembly of First Nations

The AFN’s resolution creates a historic first for its members

By Jordan Daniels

Music

Music duo Crown Lands bends time, space and gender

Anthemic prog rockers unite Indigenous resilience with snarling guitars and lots of hair

By Christos Tsirbas

TV & Film

On the road to Mi’kma’ki

Director Bretten Hannam discusses his beautiful and difficult new film “Wildhood”

By S. Bear Bergman

Identity

Two-Spirit: In their own words, on their own terms

Marie Laing discusses her landmark study on Indigenous queerness among urban youth

By Riley Yesno

Books

Tomson Highway, Canada’s trailblazing Two-Spirit writer, takes us back to his childhood

In his memoir “Permanent Astonishment,” Highway celebrates life in the Canadian North in the 1950s and ’60s

By Paul Gallant

Arts

Raven Two Feathers envisions bright Indigiqueer futures

The Two-Spirit award-winning artist showcases candid and hopeful audio and video installations at this year’s ImagineNATIVE Festival

By Thirza Cuthand

Culture

‘Canada’s Drag Race’ contestant Ilona Verley: ‘I’m supposed to be famous and I don’t have a roof over my head?’

How the show made it hard for Verley to make a living and how she felt she had to suppress her trans identity on screen

By KC Hoard

Politics

Blake Desjarlais is ready to make his mark on Parliament

Canada’s first openly Two-Spirit MP is headed to Ottawa after a historic election win

By Mel Woods

Photo Essay

A moving love letter to queer Indigenous folks

Artist Jenny Irene Miller discusses her and filmmaker Alexis Anoruk Sallee’s project “Dear Kin,” exhibiting in Anchorage, Alaska

By Jenny Irene Miller

Politics

How can a new Canadian government collaborate with Two-Spirit people?

John R. Sylliboy on Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ Indigenous needs, the upcoming federal election and reconciliation

By Arvin Joaquin

TV & Film

Why Devery Jacobs felt so at home making the Rez comedy ‘Reservation Dogs’

After breakout roles in “Rutherford Falls” and “American Gods,” Jacobs relished a project populated with so many queer and Indigenous people

By Riley Yesno

TV & Film

How Mary Galloway’s groundbreaking Indigiqueer love story made it to the screen

The “Querencia” creator talks about how Indigenous artists can make space for themselves in the entertainment industry

By Shanese Indoowaaboo Steele

Protest and Pleasure

The future is Indigiqueer

In the fourth installment of the “‘Protest and Pleasure”’ series, how Indigenous peoples and nations are building the pathway to sexual and gender liberation

By Chanelle Gallant

Books

Poet jaye simpson isn’t interested in being relatable. Maybe that makes them even more relatable

The Two-Spirit Oji-Cree Saulteaux writer’s debut collection was nominated for three literary awards

By Jas Morgan

Queer Culture Catch-Up

Enjoying drag superstars from the comfort of your car… and other pleasures

Our recommendations for what’s up and what’s on, beginning May 20

By S. Bear Bergman