Why does the esteemed author John Irving care so much about queer and trans people?

In John Irving’s latest novel, “The Last Chairlift,” the straight cis protagonist feels like a minority amidst all the queerness

By Paul Gallant

Politics

America’s worst anti-trans bill would imprison supportive parents of trans youth for life

Conservative lawmakers are “trying to come between youth and the care that they need,” sources tell Xtra

By Ursula Muñoz S.

Politics

America’s next wave of anti-trans bills is here and the time to act is now

OPINION: A new law in Oklahoma takes its cues from hateful online campaigns

By Zack Ford

Youth

The U.K.’s largest support organization for trans youth is under attack

Mermaids U.K. was forced to suspend helpline services twice in the past week as a result of harassment

By Ursula Muñoz S.

Identity

LGBTQ+ Nigerians oppose a proposed bill on crossdressing, say the issue is being used as an election distraction

Nigeria’s anti-gay laws continue to make the country unsafe for the LGBTQ+ community

By Shade Mary-Ann Olaoye

Activism

Meet the Ottawa school board trustee fighting against the anti-trans movement

Lyra Evans, believed to be Canada’s first openly trans school trustee, discusses running a second time, the growing anti-trans movement and more

By Tobin Ng

Politics

Trans candidates make history as Brazil prepares to oust its homophobic president

Congrats to Erika Hilton and Duda Salabert!

By Nico Lang

Youth

California becomes America’s first sanctuary state for trans youth seeking gender-affirming care

Senate Bill 107, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom last week, protects trans youth and their families from out-of-state prosecution

By Maddy Mahoney

Culture

In her new memoir, the legendary Cecilia Gentili introduces us to the witches and mothers in her life

The literary debut of Argentina-born New York trans and sex work activist deserves all the adjectives

By Grace Byron

Monthly Tune-Up

Rina Sawayama, The Paranoyds and more queer artists with new September tracks

The days are getting shorter, but these queer and trans artists will lift your spirits

By Jordan Currie

Trans Health

New study finds that top surgery improves quality of life in trans youth

The study comes at a time when trans healthcare is increasingly under fire in political and social arenas

By Diamond Yao

Mental Health

New study shows more mental health services lead to lower suicide risk for LGBTQ college students

The research suggests racialized and trans and non-binary students face greater suicide risks

By Mzwandile Poncana

Activism

Thousands of Virginia students walk out over proposed anti-trans policies

Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s policies would prevent students from using their correct name or pronouns without a court order

By V.S. Wells

Music

June Jones’s ‘Pop Music for Normal Women’ is full of emotionally devastating earworms

REVIEW: Jones deftly knits together cheeky humour and emotional vulnerability on her third album

By Nour Abi-Nakhoul

Identity

A love letter to video game vixens

One writer pays tribute to the video game characters that have helped LGBTQ2S+ folks feel at home in their queerness

By Bobby Box

Power

Alberta’s teachers registry is outing trans teachers

OPINION: Trans teachers already face many barriers. Registries with their deadnames are another hurdle

By j wallace skelton

Power

Pakistan’s trans community fears loss of protections as senator launches attack on trans rights bill

The landmark 2018 bill, which provides discrimination protections, is under attack by the country’s largest religious party

By Diamond Yao

Gaming

‘I Was a Teenage Exocolonist’ plays with genre, gender and growing up

Writer and narrative designer Lindsay Ishihiro explains how queer and trans themes are baked into the genre-busting indie game

By V.S. Wells