Mel Woods
@melwoods.me
Senior Editor, Audience Engagement at xtramagazine.com 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
(they/them) from the prairies, now in Vancouver
I also play Magic: The Gathering a lot
Subscribe to my newsletter, Ranch Baby: https://ranch-baby.ghost.io/
Work with me: melwoods.me
(they/them) from the prairies, now in Vancouver
I also play Magic: The Gathering a lot
Subscribe to my newsletter, Ranch Baby: https://ranch-baby.ghost.io/
Work with me: melwoods.me
Pinned
Mel Woods
@melwoods.me
· Dec 30
2025’s been a long year (and a hard year), but I did a lot of work I’m proud of this year—particularly for a variety of outlets and in a lot of different formats!
From calling out Danielle Smith’s lies about trans kids to making a gay reality TV podcast, it’s been busy!!
A thread ~
From calling out Danielle Smith’s lies about trans kids to making a gay reality TV podcast, it’s been busy!!
A thread ~
Wow!! Alt girls rise up!!
SHE’S SO GOLDEN 🥇
Alysa Liu wins GOLD and becomes the first U.S. woman to medal in figure skating since 2002.
Alysa Liu wins GOLD and becomes the first U.S. woman to medal in figure skating since 2002.
February 19, 2026 at 10:01 PM
Wow!! Alt girls rise up!!
Reposted by Mel Woods
You ever just feel so lucky to be alive and watching sports in an era where Marie-Philip Poulin exists?
February 19, 2026 at 5:47 PM
You ever just feel so lucky to be alive and watching sports in an era where Marie-Philip Poulin exists?
You ever just feel so lucky to be alive and watching sports in an era where Marie-Philip Poulin exists?
February 19, 2026 at 5:47 PM
You ever just feel so lucky to be alive and watching sports in an era where Marie-Philip Poulin exists?
There is a lot of trans fear on the timeline these days, so here’s a bit of earnest trans joy.
I recently passed four years (!!) since top surgery.
I can’t imagine living any other way, and I’ll always fight for others to have access to this same feeling 💖
I recently passed four years (!!) since top surgery.
I can’t imagine living any other way, and I’ll always fight for others to have access to this same feeling 💖
February 19, 2026 at 12:18 AM
There is a lot of trans fear on the timeline these days, so here’s a bit of earnest trans joy.
I recently passed four years (!!) since top surgery.
I can’t imagine living any other way, and I’ll always fight for others to have access to this same feeling 💖
I recently passed four years (!!) since top surgery.
I can’t imagine living any other way, and I’ll always fight for others to have access to this same feeling 💖
Reposted by Mel Woods
One of the frustrating things about “mainstream” reporting on these right-wing alt-media outlets is they describe them as “partisan” or assume they’re trying to get Poilievre elected
If you actually listen to them, they tell you exactly what they’re trying to do – namely normalize extremist ideas:
If you actually listen to them, they tell you exactly what they’re trying to do – namely normalize extremist ideas:
Juno News' Candice Malcolm is angry Jason Kenney called her website "racist" for hosting a white nationalist guest
"We're trying to open the Overton Window ... and this is an example of Jason Kenney actually trying to close it," Malcolm says, accusing Kenney of using a "tactic of cancel culture"
"We're trying to open the Overton Window ... and this is an example of Jason Kenney actually trying to close it," Malcolm says, accusing Kenney of using a "tactic of cancel culture"
February 18, 2026 at 10:16 PM
One of the frustrating things about “mainstream” reporting on these right-wing alt-media outlets is they describe them as “partisan” or assume they’re trying to get Poilievre elected
If you actually listen to them, they tell you exactly what they’re trying to do – namely normalize extremist ideas:
If you actually listen to them, they tell you exactly what they’re trying to do – namely normalize extremist ideas:
Reposted by Mel Woods
This is actually a hopeful story! Because influential Conservatives are calling this shit out!!
I’d like to see Poilievre commit to stop making appearances on Juno News pressprogress.ca/jason-kenney...
I’d like to see Poilievre commit to stop making appearances on Juno News pressprogress.ca/jason-kenney...
Jason Kenney is Sounding Off at the Right-Wing Website Juno News for Platforming a White Nationalist
How a white nationalist is causing a rift between Alberta's former premier and a right-wing alt-media outlet run by his own former spokesperson
pressprogress.ca
February 18, 2026 at 3:52 PM
This is actually a hopeful story! Because influential Conservatives are calling this shit out!!
I’d like to see Poilievre commit to stop making appearances on Juno News pressprogress.ca/jason-kenney...
I’d like to see Poilievre commit to stop making appearances on Juno News pressprogress.ca/jason-kenney...
Glad to see folks like Jen covering the anti-trans rhetoric that's burst forth in the wake of terrible tragedies like Tumbler Ridge
This rhetoric has become so widespread that GLAAD put out a fact sheet, pointing out that of 5,748 mass shootings in the United States between 2013 and 2025, just five, or 0.1 per cent, were carried out by transgender people. thetyee.ca/News/2026/02...
Tumbler Ridge Is Just the Latest Opportunity for Anti-Trans Hate | The Tyee
Within hours, online warriors launched false attacks.
thetyee.ca
February 18, 2026 at 6:35 PM
Glad to see folks like Jen covering the anti-trans rhetoric that's burst forth in the wake of terrible tragedies like Tumbler Ridge
Reposted by Mel Woods
On a new 🐙THE NORTH STATE 🐙 host
@youcaughtscott.com sits down with @xtramagazine.com's @melwoods.me to talk about how Canada's news media ecosystem has allowed disinformation about trans people to proliferate in the wake of the Tumbler Ridge tragedy.
readthecatch.ca/anti-trans-i...
@youcaughtscott.com sits down with @xtramagazine.com's @melwoods.me to talk about how Canada's news media ecosystem has allowed disinformation about trans people to proliferate in the wake of the Tumbler Ridge tragedy.
readthecatch.ca/anti-trans-i...
Anti-Trans Internet Narratives and Tumbler Ridge ft. Mel Woods (Podcast)
A horrific shooting weaponized by right-wing online media
readthecatch.ca
February 17, 2026 at 5:08 PM
On a new 🐙THE NORTH STATE 🐙 host
@youcaughtscott.com sits down with @xtramagazine.com's @melwoods.me to talk about how Canada's news media ecosystem has allowed disinformation about trans people to proliferate in the wake of the Tumbler Ridge tragedy.
readthecatch.ca/anti-trans-i...
@youcaughtscott.com sits down with @xtramagazine.com's @melwoods.me to talk about how Canada's news media ecosystem has allowed disinformation about trans people to proliferate in the wake of the Tumbler Ridge tragedy.
readthecatch.ca/anti-trans-i...
Reposted by Mel Woods
I've been doing the rounds of media criticism this week about the anti-trans hate surrounding the Tumbler Ridge shooting.
Had a great chat with Scott about how bad actors do this every time something bad happens
Had a great chat with Scott about how bad actors do this every time something bad happens
This week on The North State, @melwoods.me, senior editor at @xtramagazine.com, joins me to discuss the right-wing online media which uses mass shootings to push anti-trans hate. It’s a hard conversation, but a necessary one.
Anti-Trans Internet Narratives and Tumbler Ridge ft. Mel Woods (Podcast)
A horrific shooting weaponized by right-wing online media
readthecatch.ca
February 17, 2026 at 4:22 PM
I've been doing the rounds of media criticism this week about the anti-trans hate surrounding the Tumbler Ridge shooting.
Had a great chat with Scott about how bad actors do this every time something bad happens
Had a great chat with Scott about how bad actors do this every time something bad happens
I've been doing the rounds of media criticism this week about the anti-trans hate surrounding the Tumbler Ridge shooting.
Had a great chat with Scott about how bad actors do this every time something bad happens
Had a great chat with Scott about how bad actors do this every time something bad happens
This week on The North State, @melwoods.me, senior editor at @xtramagazine.com, joins me to discuss the right-wing online media which uses mass shootings to push anti-trans hate. It’s a hard conversation, but a necessary one.
Anti-Trans Internet Narratives and Tumbler Ridge ft. Mel Woods (Podcast)
A horrific shooting weaponized by right-wing online media
readthecatch.ca
February 17, 2026 at 4:22 PM
I've been doing the rounds of media criticism this week about the anti-trans hate surrounding the Tumbler Ridge shooting.
Had a great chat with Scott about how bad actors do this every time something bad happens
Had a great chat with Scott about how bad actors do this every time something bad happens
Reposted by Mel Woods
The Tumbler Ridge newspaper puts it better than I could
February 17, 2026 at 12:58 AM
The Tumbler Ridge newspaper puts it better than I could
Reposted by Mel Woods
The fact that this tragic event in Tumbler Ridge immediately inspired calls for restrictions on gender-affirming care and trans rights at large in Canada should raise huge alarm bells for trans people and our allies, writes @melwoods.me
The Tumbler Ridge shooting is already fuelling anti-trans hate in Canada | Xtra Magazine
Bad actors on the right are leaping to connect the shooter’s trans identity to the violence
xtramagazine.com
February 15, 2026 at 12:11 AM
The fact that this tragic event in Tumbler Ridge immediately inspired calls for restrictions on gender-affirming care and trans rights at large in Canada should raise huge alarm bells for trans people and our allies, writes @melwoods.me
Reposted by Mel Woods
"The shooter’s identity will likely be used in legislatures across Canada to argue against life-saving medical care for young people, inclusive education in schools and the outlawing of harmful conversion therapy practices."
The Tumbler Ridge shooting is already fuelling anti-trans hate in Canada | Xtra Magazine
Bad actors on the right are leaping to connect the shooter’s trans identity to the violence
xtramagazine.com
February 14, 2026 at 12:11 AM
"The shooter’s identity will likely be used in legislatures across Canada to argue against life-saving medical care for young people, inclusive education in schools and the outlawing of harmful conversion therapy practices."
Happy Valentine's Day ... celebrate by reading my essay about Carly Rae Jepsen and getting married and embracing the cringe in love ❤️
xtramagazine.com/culture/carl...
xtramagazine.com/culture/carl...
Carly Rae Jepsen’s ‘EMOTION’ taught me that cringe love can be cool | Xtra Magazine
Jepsen’s masterpiece has been with me through my most important moments. Soon it will play as I walk down the aisle
xtramagazine.com
February 14, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Happy Valentine's Day ... celebrate by reading my essay about Carly Rae Jepsen and getting married and embracing the cringe in love ❤️
xtramagazine.com/culture/carl...
xtramagazine.com/culture/carl...
Reposted by Mel Woods
It got a bit lost in the shuffle of the news this week, but I wrote a feature breaking down why Skate Canada's choice to pull out of Alberta is such a big deal.
Published as a collaboration between @xtramagazine.com and @thewalrus.ca ⛸️🏳️⚧️
xtramagazine.com/power/skate-...
Published as a collaboration between @xtramagazine.com and @thewalrus.ca ⛸️🏳️⚧️
xtramagazine.com/power/skate-...
Skate Canada showed they don’t have to play by non-inclusive rules | Xtra Magazine
The sports organization pulling out of Alberta is unique. But it sets a standard
xtramagazine.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:27 PM
It got a bit lost in the shuffle of the news this week, but I wrote a feature breaking down why Skate Canada's choice to pull out of Alberta is such a big deal.
Published as a collaboration between @xtramagazine.com and @thewalrus.ca ⛸️🏳️⚧️
xtramagazine.com/power/skate-...
Published as a collaboration between @xtramagazine.com and @thewalrus.ca ⛸️🏳️⚧️
xtramagazine.com/power/skate-...
Remember that we made a podcast about queer reality TV last year???
Well this week, Get Queer officially joined the great folks over at @harbingermedia.bsky.social.
Love to see progressive media coming together to maximize our joint slay 💅
Well this week, Get Queer officially joined the great folks over at @harbingermedia.bsky.social.
Love to see progressive media coming together to maximize our joint slay 💅
Three new podcasts are joining the Harbinger community this week!
➡️ LE BRUIT DES BOTTES from @pivot.quebec w/ @sharper.bsky.social
➡️ GET QUEER from @xtramagazine.com w/ @melwoods.me
➡️ POLITE CONVERSATIONS w/ Eiynah Mohammed-Smith
Find out more at harbingermedianetwork.com/%F0%9F%94%B6
➡️ LE BRUIT DES BOTTES from @pivot.quebec w/ @sharper.bsky.social
➡️ GET QUEER from @xtramagazine.com w/ @melwoods.me
➡️ POLITE CONVERSATIONS w/ Eiynah Mohammed-Smith
Find out more at harbingermedianetwork.com/%F0%9F%94%B6
February 13, 2026 at 7:46 PM
Remember that we made a podcast about queer reality TV last year???
Well this week, Get Queer officially joined the great folks over at @harbingermedia.bsky.social.
Love to see progressive media coming together to maximize our joint slay 💅
Well this week, Get Queer officially joined the great folks over at @harbingermedia.bsky.social.
Love to see progressive media coming together to maximize our joint slay 💅
Reposted by Mel Woods
I wanted to say that I really appreciate all of the kind words, support and shares around this story and this week in general ❤️
Covering this stuff is heavy, and it means a lot!
xtramagazine.com/power/tumble...
Covering this stuff is heavy, and it means a lot!
xtramagazine.com/power/tumble...
The Tumbler Ridge shooting is already fuelling anti-trans hate in Canada | Xtra Magazine
Bad actors on the right are leaping to connect the shooter’s trans identity to the violence
xtramagazine.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:20 PM
I wanted to say that I really appreciate all of the kind words, support and shares around this story and this week in general ❤️
Covering this stuff is heavy, and it means a lot!
xtramagazine.com/power/tumble...
Covering this stuff is heavy, and it means a lot!
xtramagazine.com/power/tumble...
It got a bit lost in the shuffle of the news this week, but I wrote a feature breaking down why Skate Canada's choice to pull out of Alberta is such a big deal.
Published as a collaboration between @xtramagazine.com and @thewalrus.ca ⛸️🏳️⚧️
xtramagazine.com/power/skate-...
Published as a collaboration between @xtramagazine.com and @thewalrus.ca ⛸️🏳️⚧️
xtramagazine.com/power/skate-...
Skate Canada showed they don’t have to play by non-inclusive rules | Xtra Magazine
The sports organization pulling out of Alberta is unique. But it sets a standard
xtramagazine.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:27 PM
It got a bit lost in the shuffle of the news this week, but I wrote a feature breaking down why Skate Canada's choice to pull out of Alberta is such a big deal.
Published as a collaboration between @xtramagazine.com and @thewalrus.ca ⛸️🏳️⚧️
xtramagazine.com/power/skate-...
Published as a collaboration between @xtramagazine.com and @thewalrus.ca ⛸️🏳️⚧️
xtramagazine.com/power/skate-...
Reposted by Mel Woods
The @theglobeandmail.com has compiled the stories of the eight lives cut short in Tumbler Ridge.
A thread below.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
A thread below.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Eight lives lost in British Columbia: Their names and stories
Five 12- and 13-year-old children at the school, an educator, and two family members at a nearby home were killed
www.theglobeandmail.com
February 13, 2026 at 5:47 PM
The @theglobeandmail.com has compiled the stories of the eight lives cut short in Tumbler Ridge.
A thread below.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
A thread below.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Nobody told me there are WIVES competing against each other in women's skeleton!!
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/w...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/w...
Heated Rivalry and Marital Bliss: Two Wives Go Head to Head in a Scary Olympic Sport
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Nobody told me there are WIVES competing against each other in women's skeleton!!
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/w...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/w...
I have been asked a few times if it is good that mainstream media largely held off on identifying the shooter until after RCMP confirmed, even if some places were spreading it.
This sort of thing is why. As a a journalist, when you get this stuff wrong, you potentially are ruining people's lives.
This sort of thing is why. As a a journalist, when you get this stuff wrong, you potentially are ruining people's lives.
Radio-Canada apologizes after it aired a photo circulated by anti-trans hate groups online, falsely claiming it was a photo of the Tumbler Ridge shooter. Damaging and irresponsible, and this apology raises more questions about journalistic process imho.
ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/222...
ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/222...
Correction sur la couverture de la fusillade à Tumbler Ridge
La direction de l'information s'excuse de la publication d'une photo présentant à tort une personne comme étant responsable de la fusillade.
ici.radio-canada.ca
February 12, 2026 at 10:02 PM
I have been asked a few times if it is good that mainstream media largely held off on identifying the shooter until after RCMP confirmed, even if some places were spreading it.
This sort of thing is why. As a a journalist, when you get this stuff wrong, you potentially are ruining people's lives.
This sort of thing is why. As a a journalist, when you get this stuff wrong, you potentially are ruining people's lives.
Reposted by Mel Woods
Radio-Canada apologizes after it aired a photo circulated by anti-trans hate groups online, falsely claiming it was a photo of the Tumbler Ridge shooter. Damaging and irresponsible, and this apology raises more questions about journalistic process imho.
ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/222...
ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/222...
Correction sur la couverture de la fusillade à Tumbler Ridge
La direction de l'information s'excuse de la publication d'une photo présentant à tort une personne comme étant responsable de la fusillade.
ici.radio-canada.ca
February 12, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Radio-Canada apologizes after it aired a photo circulated by anti-trans hate groups online, falsely claiming it was a photo of the Tumbler Ridge shooter. Damaging and irresponsible, and this apology raises more questions about journalistic process imho.
ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/222...
ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/222...
I wanted to say that I really appreciate all of the kind words, support and shares around this story and this week in general ❤️
Covering this stuff is heavy, and it means a lot!
xtramagazine.com/power/tumble...
Covering this stuff is heavy, and it means a lot!
xtramagazine.com/power/tumble...
The Tumbler Ridge shooting is already fuelling anti-trans hate in Canada | Xtra Magazine
Bad actors on the right are leaping to connect the shooter’s trans identity to the violence
xtramagazine.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:20 PM
I wanted to say that I really appreciate all of the kind words, support and shares around this story and this week in general ❤️
Covering this stuff is heavy, and it means a lot!
xtramagazine.com/power/tumble...
Covering this stuff is heavy, and it means a lot!
xtramagazine.com/power/tumble...
Reposted by Mel Woods
"Right now the focus should be on supporting the community in mourning, not weaponizing this event as hate against a vulnerable group at large," writes @melwoods.me xtramagazine.com/power/tumble...
The Tumbler Ridge shooting is already fuelling anti-trans hate in Canada | Xtra Magazine
Bad actors on the right are leaping to connect the shooter’s trans identity to the violence
xtramagazine.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:22 PM
"Right now the focus should be on supporting the community in mourning, not weaponizing this event as hate against a vulnerable group at large," writes @melwoods.me xtramagazine.com/power/tumble...
Reposted by Mel Woods
“For those who are just learning about Tumbler Ridge for the first time, know that it is so much more than the events of this week. The town is a portrait of resiliency. It has survived against the odds and emerged stronger.”
@thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2026/02...
@thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2026/02...
A Love Letter to Tumbler Ridge | The Tyee
The northern community faces some of its darkest days ahead, but is famously resilient.
thetyee.ca
February 12, 2026 at 2:52 AM
“For those who are just learning about Tumbler Ridge for the first time, know that it is so much more than the events of this week. The town is a portrait of resiliency. It has survived against the odds and emerged stronger.”
@thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2026/02...
@thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2026/02...
