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.

Reproductive Health

Britain’s Vagina Museum reopens with a trans-inclusive endometriosis exhibit

Ten months after it was forced to close, the museum is back to providing accurate and inclusive reproductive health info

By Quinn Rhodes

Drag Race

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’ Season 5, Episode 6 power ranking: Star power

Which celebrity impersonations stole the spotlight?

By Kevin O’Keeffe

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

Drag Race

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’ Season 5, Episode 5 power ranking: Camp classics

Panto is the name of the game this week, as the queens shine in the Rusical

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

Drag Race

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’ Season 5, Episode 4 power ranking: Masters of their craft

An unexpected three-way win has us carefully considering the ranking this week

By Kevin O’Keeffe

Drag Race

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’ Season 5, Episode 4 recap: You like money? Wear a wig

The queens take inspiration from RuPaul’s MasterClass for a new take on the panel challenge

By Kevin O’Keeffe

Drag Race

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’ Season 5 premiere recap: Fifth time’s the charm

It’s time to meet the 10 new cast members of “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK”—but who’s that in the background?

By Kevin O’Keeffe

Monthly Tune-Up

Crooning country from Mitski and COBRAH’s bisexual anthem top the tune-up this month

Plus new releases from tip/toe, Tinashe, Lola Wild and Eartheater

By Jordan Currie

Activism

If you want to help trans youth in the U.K., here are the groups to support

Despite an increasingly hostile political climate, vital organizations are carving out space for trans joy

By Jake Hall

Music

Anohni is back with the Johnsons for her most important album yet

REVIEW: The U.K.-born singer-songwriter is breaking new ground in a stellar career at a time when trans rights are increasingly under threat

By Adam England

TV & Film

Charlie, Nick and the rest of the heartwarming ‘Heartstopper’ crew are back for another season of the sweetest, loveliest show for young people

REVIEW: Does Season 2 offer too much of a good thing? Almost

By Barry Levitt

Work

Drag artists are workers, and protests are putting them in danger

With anti-drag protests intensifying and spilling across borders, drag artists worldwide are losing gigs and fearing violence

By Jake Hall

Pink Ticket Travel

Mexico City, New York, Toronto, Madrid… at which Pride in which city are you celebrating?

Attention: We’ve arrived at peak party season

By Paul Gallant

TV & Film

‘Blue Jean’ director inspired by the psychic costs of the closet

Georgia Oakley’s feature debut evokes a world where living openly carried great risks

By Rendy Jones

History

British drag has always been radical

In the wake of drag icon Paul O’Grady’s death, it’s time to excavate Britain’s radical drag history

By Jake Hall

Comedy

Intergalactic beauty Juno Birch’s advice for mere mortals

“Delusion is the key to confidence,” says the trans drag alien probing North Americans, er, North America this summer

By Russ Martin

Queer Culture Catch-Up

Music by Lynnee Breedlove and Juba Kalamka, a Charlie Jane Anders trilogy, queer Brit hobby groups and Kit Yan, Melissa Li and Michael R. Jackson in NYC

This week’s gay enticements to engage in queer culture

By S. Bear Bergman