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.

Culture

Face to face with ballroom star Jazmine Miyake-Mugler

Following last year’s win at the World AIDS Day Ball in Toronto and an impressive showing in NYC earlier this fall, Jazmine’s home is the runway

By Mikelle Street

Queer Culture Catch-Up

Miss Chief’s memoirs, ‘Next Goal Wins,’ drag kings, gay bar history and more

Looking for a happy cry? S. Bear Bergman has you covered

By S. Bear Bergman

Nightlife

Queer people of colour are still left out of Chicago’s queer neighbourhood

Local drag performers say the area mostly serves affluent white men

By Adam Rhodes

Violence against LGBTQ2S+

Brooklyn’s queer nightlife community rallies together after the killing of O’Shae Sibley

Sibley was killed while voguing to Beyoncé with friends in a gas station parking lot last month

By Jill Webb

Nightlife

The gentrification of the dancefloor

How separating people physically gets in the way of the spontaneous pleasures of a queer night out

By Joseph Osmundson

Culture

Midnight in Ni-Chome: Japan’s post-pandemic drag performance scene

Queerness, whether on stage or off, plays differently in Japan

By Alex Ehrenreich

Pride 2022: Party & Protest

45 years on the edge with legendary DJ David Morales

Morales discusses the history of house, the hard truth about safe spaces, the drama behind diva remixes and being the gayest straight DJ of all time

By Elio Iannacci

London Calling

Fall boozily in love with London’s queer performance scene

From seedy dives and lavishly decorated halls to twisted drag and acerbic social commentary, here are the venues and shows to check out this summer

By Toby Reynolds

Nightlife

‘It’s our church.’ DIY rave scenes are safe spaces for marginalized folks

From Toronto to Miami, queer nightlife is seeing a resurgence—set to the beat of inclusive DJs

By Rhea Singh

Music

Planningtorock celebrates wedded bliss in the face of bigotry

Their new EP, “Gay Dreams Do Come True,” finds joy and resilience in queer synth-pop

By Jesse Locke

Xtra Weekly

Topline: Meet you at the bar

My hometown queer bar is under threat. Send in the queens!

By Gordon Bowness

Creating Community

A journalist in London finds Bollywood dreams and self care in a legendary now-virtual South Asian club night

Club Kali was a mainstay of London’s party scene until COVID-19 forced it to go online

By Dan Hastings

Culture

At Paris’ Dirty Lemon, a new kind of lesbian bar has emerged

Ruba Khoury prioritizes queer connection, good eats and tasty cocktails above all—a testament to what LGBTQ+ women really want in their bars

By Emily Monaco

Pandemic Pastimes

Online dance clubs are reviving a fierce and fundamental part of LGBTQ2 culture

During the COVID-19 crisis, queer and trans folk learn and love to slay at home

By Elio Iannacci

Pandemic Pastimes

Regina Gently’s house hit playlist

The vocal heavy pop hooks, diva singers and club beats that inspire the DJ and recording artist

By Regina Gently

Your Communities in Action

COVID-19: Your communities at work, Mar. 24

A running diary of LGBTQ2 folk coping and caring for each other. Today: “Community defence” of sex workers and your favourite L.A. lesbian comic talks books

By Xtra Staff

Your Communities in Action

COVID-19: Your communities in action, Mar. 20

A running diary of LGBTQ2 folk coping and caring for each other. Today: Your weekend queer concert roundup with Jeremy Dutcher, Rufus Wainwright, Janette King and more.

By Xtra Staff

Your Communities in Action

COVID-19: Your Communities in Action, Mar. 19

A running diary of LGBTQ2 folk coping and caring for each other. Today: Your invitation to the partypocalypse and something darling for the kiddies

By Xtra Staff