Topline: Living in a post-pandemic theatre of the absurd

A vaccinated New Yorker attends a taping of “Saturday Night Live” and ponders the crucial relationship between performer and audience

By Zaina Arafat

Media

Meet Kissy Duerré, a fast-rising star on TikTok who embraces righteous politics and hard conversations

With 600,000-plus followers, the trans TikTok creator talks to the world from her home in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

By Niko Stratis

Xtra Weekly

Topline: In bed with Carole Pope and Dusty Springfield

Calling the diva squad to dispel the fog

By Gordon Bowness

Xtra Weekly

Topline: The great escape of film

Travelling through screens as we wait for the pandemic to end

By Riley Sparks

Xtra Weekly

Topline: Finding community from the seat of my bike

The Peloton is a surprising virtual space for LGBTQ2S+ friendship

By Michelle da Silva

Xtra Weekly

Topline: Video calls saved my life

The surprising siblinghood of depression, Kurt Cobain and Super Mario

By Chelle Turingan

Xtra Weekly

Topline: The ABCs of Black queer history

From Alvin Ailey to Lena Waithe

By Tre’vell Anderson

Culture

The world according to Abigail Thorn

The personality behind the massive Philosophy Tube brand has come out as trans—and with that comes heaps of expectations

By Niko Stratis

Xtra Weekly

Topline: The new normal-not-normal of Amanda Gorman and Kamala Harris

Have we really been released from years of manipulation, gaslighting and existential threats?

By Zaina Arafat

Power

British media is increasingly transphobic. Here’s why

Some lay blame on old-school journalists, others point to hateful politicians. Either way, anti-trans sentiment has become the nation’s accepted bigotry

By V.S. Wells

Inside Xtra

Check out our glow up!

Xtra is evolving… new look, new logo… but same commitment to LGBTQ2S+ journalism and community building

By Rachel Giese

Xtra Weekly

Topline: Harry Styles and Janaya Khan’s duelling covers

Here’s what to expect from the Xtra Weekly newsletter, Nov. 20

By Xtra Staff

Identity

Media about trans issues is linked to referrals to gender identity clinics

A recent study finds a correlation, but whether the tone of these portrayals also affect referrals remains unanswered

By Krishna Rau

Arts

4 queer and trans happenings to wind you up or down in the week ahead

What LGBTQ2S+ films to watch, books to read, podcasts to listen to or art to look at beginning Nov. 5

By Sarah Taher

Identity

What’s on your nightstand? This queer Instagrammer wants to know

The Queer Nightstands account chronicles a shared community intimacy by showing off what we keep beside our beds

By Madeline Lines

Politics

How to debunk online disinformation about LGBTQ2S+ people

BuzzFeed News reporter Jane Lytvynenko has made a living busting phony news online. For queer and trans folks, that skill is imperative in keeping communities safe

By Paula Tran

Culture

The Gay Agenda is real, thanks to this TikTok star

More than 16,000 users are now part of an online LGBTQ2 community—all based out of a shared Google Calendar

By Joel Louzado

Xtra Weekly

Topline: Who wore it better—Priyanka or Patriarch Filaret?

Here’s what to expect from Xtra Weekly, Sept. 4

By Xtra Staff