As war brings new oppression, queer Russians decide whether to stay or flee

With new elections on the horizon, more LGBTQ+ Russians than ever before are being pushed to leave the country

After 1 Million March, LGBTQ2S+ youth face rise in bullying and fear of outing

Youth in Ontario, Alberta, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan have reported an increase in harassment and mental distress since September

By Gabe Oatley

Some Republicans just admitted their “endgame” is to ban transition care—for everyone

OPINION: They want us to return to a world where getting care means taking our lives into our own hands

By Katelyn Burns

Politics

The cruelty and calm of Alberta’s attack on trans rights

ANALYSIS: The province’s new set of anti-trans policies are unprecedented in Canada and are as politically motivated as it gets

By Mel Woods

Politics

Alberta town to vote on banning Pride flags and rainbow crosswalks

If passed, Westlock would be the first town in Alberta with such a bylaw. The move echoes similar attempts in the U.S. to ban Pride flags in schools and government buildings

By Mel Woods, Oliver Haug

Education

Far-right groups turning to ‘lawfare’ tactic to push back against LGBTQ2S+ curriculum

Experts say the tactic is more about intimidation than legal enforceability

By Emma Arkell

Justice

Court rules that ‘groomer’ is a slur, not protected speech

Experts say the precedent means that the queer community will be able to protect themselves from defamation and hateful speech

By Dale Smith

Rainbow Rewind 2023

Righteous Queens and Shady Bitches 2023

An annual tradition returns: the highs and the lows of the past year, personified

By Xtra Staff

Activism

Roz Kaveney on a lifetime of fighting for trans rights

The writer, poet and anti-TERF activist reflects on half a century of fighting for trans rights

By Jude Ellison S. Doyle

Activism

Activists are teaming up to spotlight trans issues ahead of U.S. election

As anti-LGBTQ2S+ discrimination shakes the U.S. South, a non-profit and team of activists join together to bring visibility to trans lives in South Carolina

By Alina Kim

Trans Health

The ex-gay movement crawled so the detransition movement could run

OPINION: We’ve been here before. And history shows what might happen next

By Katelyn Burns

Dangerous Space

Trans kids are people, not property

OPINION: Conservative politicians across Canada have signalled their support for so-called “parental rights.” But children and youth have rights of their own

By Kai Cheng Thom

Politics

The DeSantis presidential campaign is flopping. Here’s why that matters

ANALYSIS: DeSantis’s failure proves that obsessively campaigning against trans and queer people’s right to exist is not the crowd-pleasing populist position it’s been made out to be

By Jude Ellison S. Doyle

Politics

What U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson’s appointment means for LGBTQ2S+ people

OPINION: The Republican, who once tried to introduce a national “Don’t Say Gay Bill,” should worry all queer and trans Americans

By Katelyn Burns

Drag Race

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’ Season 5, Episode 5 recap: Panto dames galore

A strong Rusical leaves the judges splitting hairs when it comes to an elimination decision

By Kevin O’Keeffe

Books

Alison Rumfitt’s ‘Brainwyrms’ is trans body horror that feels all too real

The author talks life on the internet, anti-trans backlash in the U.K., and the horror of seeing your loved ones radicalized

By Thea McLachlan

Activism

Second 1 Million March goes on amid confusion

As one group pulls out of organizing, protesters and counter-protestors keep to plans

By Jackie Richardson

Politics

The seemingly benign phrase ‘parental rights’ hides a dangerous, anti-democratic, Christian nationalist movement

ANALYSIS: North America has a long history with racist, misogynist and anti-queer activism focused on schools

By Zack Ford