Xtra Explains

Xtra Explains: Hormone replacement therapy for young people

What does gender-affirming HRT actually look like for trans youth in Canada?

By Mel Woods

Xtra Explains

Xtra Explains: Trans girls and sports

Debunking some of the biggest myths around trans girls and fairness in sports

By Mel Woods

Xtra Explains

Xtra Explains: Inclusive sex education in Canada

SOGI curriculum and comprehensive sexuality education are vital resources to a young person’s education

By Mel Woods

Xtra Explains

Xtra Explains: ‘Trans-Trenders’ and social contagion theory

The rapid-onset gender dysphoria theory has been debunked. Here’s what you need to know

By Mel Woods

Xtra Explains

The 178 sources we used in Xtra Explains: Trans Youth

Dive into the citations and facts behind our new 10-part explainer series

By Hannah Mercanti, Mel Woods

Inside Xtra

Introducing Xtra Explains: Trans Youth

The 10-part video series provides shareable, fact-checked info on the hot-button issues of the debate around trans youth and their health

By Mel Woods

Books

In ‘American Teenager,’ trans youth get to speak for themselves

Nico Lang’s book takes us into the lives of seven trans youth across the U.S.

By Ziya Jones

Politics

With introduction of anti-trans policies, Danielle Smith rewrites the rules

OPINION: The Alberta premier is aiming to frame the passionate defence of trans youth as the unhinged stance

By Dale Smith

Dangerous Space

To combat transphobia, we need to engage with the people who spread it

OPINION: opening up a dialogue with those we disagree with is key if we want to achieve widespread social change

By Kai Cheng Thom

TV & Film

‘Will & Harper’ is an aspirational portrait of the work our allies should do

REVIEW: Will Ferrell and Harper Steele’s road trip doc demonstrates what standing by loved ones actually looks like

By Rendy Jones

Mental Health

The 2024 election is taking a toll on trans mental health. Here’s how to keep it together

ANALYSIS: Telling trans people to “just vote” isn’t helpful

By Jude Ellison S. Doyle

Music

With posthumous album, SOPHIE gets one final goodbye

‘SOPHIE’ is a fitting farewell that might never feel like it is enough

By Niko Stratis

Books

‘Still Life’ captures the messiness of writing trans autofiction

Katherine Packert Burke’s novel explores how little one can really understand about one’s own life while in the middle of living it

By Emily Zhou

Youth

Americans parents of trans kids to their Canadian counterparts: ‘Have a plan’

Ahead of upcoming provincial elections, parents who’ve been there share what they’ve learned from the onslaught of anti-trans hate in America

By Nico Lang

TV & Film

J Stevens talks ‘Really Happy Someday’ and real-time transition filmmaking

The director co-wrote the film with star Breton Lalama, who plays a musical theatre actor whose voice is changing

By Pat Mullen

Dangerous Space

“Transing the gay away” is a fear-mongering myth

OPINION: The narrative allows “gender critical” activists to deflect accusations of bigotry—and that’s dangerous

By Kai Cheng Thom

Politics

Democrats are done taking the high road

OPINION: Speakers were fired up at this week’s Democratic National Convention. For queer and trans people, that’s meant a more consistent defence of our rights

By Katelyn Burns

TV & Film

Elliot Page’s ‘Close to You,’ is a trans story with no easy answers

Page and director Dominic Savage reflect on how their intimate drama shows how we change and choose happiness

By Mel Woods