Identity

Cole Escola won a Tony. But why are acting awards still so gendered?

The “Oh, Mary!” star became the first non-binary actor to win a lead acting Tony Award

By Cody Corrall, Mel Woods

Arts

In the face of uncertainty, U.S. queer creatives are building alternatives

Federal cuts are forcing LGBTQ2S+ artists and organizations to scramble for survival

By Simon Feisthauer Fournet

Theatre

Brendan Healy on the loneliness of being gay, finding connection in theatre and bringing ‘The Inheritance’ to Toronto

The Canadian Stage artistic director brings Matthew López’s two-part masterpiece to the stage

By Christos Tsirbas

Queer Culture Catch-Up

Mashed-up historical romance from Lex Croucher, ‘Yesterqueers’ on TikTok and musicians Kaien Cruz and Moe Reen top our calendar this week

Plus national treasure Walter Borden is onstage in Toronto

By S. Bear Bergman

Culture

From Barbie porn and Ken buttplugs to Trixie Mattel

Queer and trans folk have been doing wonderfully awful things to Barbie since the doll’s creation

By Kerry Manders

Theatre

Playwright Brad Fraser and actor Stephen Jackman-Torkoff are queering Shakespeare and sexing up the Stratford Festival

Fraser’s revolutionary adaptation of “Richard II” and Jackman-Torkoff’s energetic performance are bringing the Bard to new audiences

By Christos Tsirbas

Xtra News Flash

First out non-binary Tony winners, trans cyclist wins gold, N.B. transphobic school rules, Missouri gender-affirming care ban and Troye Sivan teases new music

5 queer and trans stories we’re watching: June 12

By Eve Cable

Queer Culture Catch-Up

Live theatre virtually, Two-Spirit model Jazz Moise and Black queer history

Plus more queer culture to catch up on starting March 16

By S. Bear Bergman

Theatre

John-Andrew Morrison on ‘A Strange Loop’ as the show enters its final stretch

The star of the Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical celebrates the love and tragedy of all our mothers

By Mikelle Street

Inside Xtra

Celebrated theatre artist Daniel MacIvor to join Xtra’s publisher

MacIvor to head up new creative studio at Pink Triangle Press

By Gordon Bowness

Queer Culture Catch-Up

Celebrate Pride with ‘The Annie Sprinkle Project’ and theatre from Bilal Baig

Plus more of what’s up and on, starting June 23

By S. Bear Bergman

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

Music

Tomson Highway invites listeners to ‘Cree Country,’ the Two-Spirit artist’s new Cree-language country album

The celebrated playwright, author and musician teams up with singer Patricia Cano in a loving act of reclamation

By Jesse Locke

The Buzz

L Morgan Lee is the first trans performer nominated for a Tony Award

“A Strange Loop” actress made history this week

By Mel Woods

The Buzz

Beanie Feldstein’s ‘Funny Girl’ arrives to mixed reviews

Plus, the buzz on “Fire Island,” Janelle Monáe and the latest lovable “Jeopardy!” champion

By Mel Woods

Culture

What went wrong at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and how can it be fixed?

Generational conflict and accusations of systemic racism plagued the company before the board resigned

By Chris Dupuis

Culture

Buddies in Bad Times’ new board chair leaves amid ongoing tensions about the future of the Toronto theatre

Last year, staff demanded restructuring and more power in hiring decisions

By Krishna Rau

Queer Culture Catch-Up

‘Keyboard Fantasies,’ Queering The Canon and Harvey Fierstein

Plus other recommendations for what’s up and what’s on, beginning March 3

By S. Bear Bergman