Xtra
@xtramagazine.com
Queering the conversation. Fierce, proud and independent LGBTQ2S+ journalism, since 1984. 🌈✨
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Read more at xtramagazine.com
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Xtra
@xtramagazine.com
· May 1
Big news: We're launching a podcast!
Announcing Get Queer, a new LGBTQ2S+ pop culture podcast from Xtra Magazine, hosted by @melwoods.me
This season dives into the history of how reality TV has shaped queer identity.
New episodes drop weekly starting May 8 ✨
xtramagazine.com/get-queer-po...
Announcing Get Queer, a new LGBTQ2S+ pop culture podcast from Xtra Magazine, hosted by @melwoods.me
This season dives into the history of how reality TV has shaped queer identity.
New episodes drop weekly starting May 8 ✨
xtramagazine.com/get-queer-po...
Though last week’s Rate-a-Queen judging on #DragRace was sensible and fair, despite strategic shenanigans, this week’s is much less so
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 18, Episode 6 recap: Mother knows best | Xtra Magazine
Athena Dion’s strategic savvy pays off for her in a big way
xtramagazine.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:15 AM
Though last week’s Rate-a-Queen judging on #DragRace was sensible and fair, despite strategic shenanigans, this week’s is much less so
The Alexander Skarsgård-led BDSM romance asks a big question: Can real love be found in such a skewed power dynamic?
‘Pillion’ shows that gay biker doms have feelings too | Xtra Magazine
The Alexander Skarsgård-led BDSM romance asks a big question: Can real love be found in such a skewed power dynamic?
xtramagazine.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:38 PM
The Alexander Skarsgård-led BDSM romance asks a big question: Can real love be found in such a skewed power dynamic?
“They/them off, job on” started as a meme. For non-binary service workers, it’s a daily reality.
Benderfromfuturama.bsky.social writes about how non-binary workers code-switch on the job.
Benderfromfuturama.bsky.social writes about how non-binary workers code-switch on the job.
For non-binary service workers, the price of authenticity is minimum wage | Xtra Magazine
“They/them off, job on” started as a meme. For non-binary service workers, it’s a daily reality
xtramagazine.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:49 PM
“They/them off, job on” started as a meme. For non-binary service workers, it’s a daily reality.
Benderfromfuturama.bsky.social writes about how non-binary workers code-switch on the job.
Benderfromfuturama.bsky.social writes about how non-binary workers code-switch on the job.
“I felt like an elephant in the room.” aliceboyle.bsky.social investigates how Saskatchewan's Bill 137 is pushing some teachers out of the classroom, as school boards and administrators comply with the pronoun policy.
Saskatchewan's pronoun policy is driving teachers out of the profession | Xtra Magazine
Teachers in the province are struggling to choose between protecting children and following the law
xtramagazine.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:19 PM
“I felt like an elephant in the room.” aliceboyle.bsky.social investigates how Saskatchewan's Bill 137 is pushing some teachers out of the classroom, as school boards and administrators comply with the pronoun policy.
#DragRace wraps up Rate-a-Queen for the season, and one of the bottom queens from these past two episodes goes home
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 18, Episode 6 power ranking: Rate-a-Queen’s conclusion | Xtra Magazine
Another queen secures her first maxi-challenge win, while two duke it out in the Lip Sync for Your Life
xtramagazine.com
February 12, 2026 at 12:11 AM
#DragRace wraps up Rate-a-Queen for the season, and one of the bottom queens from these past two episodes goes home
"An entire community is mourning a horrific loss in Tumbler Ridge this week ... And the dangerous links being made to trans people at large will have resounding and dangerous impacts in the months and weeks to come," 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 11, 2026 at 9:38 PM
"An entire community is mourning a horrific loss in Tumbler Ridge this week ... And the dangerous links being made to trans people at large will have resounding and dangerous impacts in the months and weeks to come," writes @melwoods.me
At the provincial level, one sporting organization has already chosen to walk the walk when it comes to being inclusive, and it could present a model for others to do the same, writes @melwoods.me, produced in collaboration with @thewalrus.ca
xtramagazine.com/power/skate-...
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 11, 2026 at 7:07 PM
At the provincial level, one sporting organization has already chosen to walk the walk when it comes to being inclusive, and it could present a model for others to do the same, writes @melwoods.me, produced in collaboration with @thewalrus.ca
xtramagazine.com/power/skate-...
xtramagazine.com/power/skate-...
The phrase “small, organic, community-supported farms, run by trans and queer people” either invites “DUH,” or an eye-roll from conservatives. @dear-gazelle.bsky.social breaks down why queer folks are joining, and changing, agriculture.
Queer farmers are growing better futures | Xtra Magazine
For generations, LGBTQ2S+ people fled rural areas. Now, they’re putting down roots, farming with a focus on community and the environment
xtramagazine.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:49 PM
The phrase “small, organic, community-supported farms, run by trans and queer people” either invites “DUH,” or an eye-roll from conservatives. @dear-gazelle.bsky.social breaks down why queer folks are joining, and changing, agriculture.
Victoria Hincapie Gomez joined @the519to.bsky.social’s trans youth program hoping it would lead to a job. It promised skills, community and a paid placement—but then its funding disappeared.
LGBTQ2S+ employment programs struggle to find funding, are unable to meet the needs of newcomers to Canada | Xtra Magazine
Queer and trans immigrants rely on employment programs. Why don’t these programs get enough government money?
xtramagazine.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Victoria Hincapie Gomez joined @the519to.bsky.social’s trans youth program hoping it would lead to a job. It promised skills, community and a paid placement—but then its funding disappeared.
Many Ontario public service workers have gone back to the office five times a week, but trans workers fear that this opens the door for increased harassment and gender dysphoria in their peers, reports @jacobaronleung.bsky.social.
Trans public service workers say Ontario’s return-to-office mandate puts them at risk | Xtra Magazine
Doug Ford has forced Ontario public servants back into the office. Trans workers fear the fallout
xtramagazine.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:11 AM
Many Ontario public service workers have gone back to the office five times a week, but trans workers fear that this opens the door for increased harassment and gender dysphoria in their peers, reports @jacobaronleung.bsky.social.
As the search for work gets more desperate, queer and trans workers often see the worst sides of work. But they also come with brilliant solutions.
@desaima.bsky.social introduces the five stories in On the Clock, written by this year’s Ken Popert Media Fellows
@desaima.bsky.social introduces the five stories in On the Clock, written by this year’s Ken Popert Media Fellows
Work is broken. Queer and trans workers could help fix it | Xtra Magazine
The five stories in Xtra’s On the Clock series show queer and trans workers searching for, fighting for and inventing work that’s fair and meaningful
xtramagazine.com
February 10, 2026 at 9:38 PM
As the search for work gets more desperate, queer and trans workers often see the worst sides of work. But they also come with brilliant solutions.
@desaima.bsky.social introduces the five stories in On the Clock, written by this year’s Ken Popert Media Fellows
@desaima.bsky.social introduces the five stories in On the Clock, written by this year’s Ken Popert Media Fellows
Rate-a-Queen Round 2 comes to a close on this week’s #DragRace, and one of the bottom queens from both episodes is sent home
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 18, Episode 6 recap: Mother knows best | Xtra Magazine
Athena Dion’s strategic savvy pays off for her in a big way
xtramagazine.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Rate-a-Queen Round 2 comes to a close on this week’s #DragRace, and one of the bottom queens from both episodes is sent home
The queens of #DragRace Season 18 got wacky for Rate-a-Queen, producing some odd results that conflict with the judges’ own thinking
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 18, Episode 6 power ranking: Rate-a-Queen’s conclusion | Xtra Magazine
Another queen secures her first maxi-challenge win, while two duke it out in the Lip Sync for Your Life
xtramagazine.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:02 PM
The queens of #DragRace Season 18 got wacky for Rate-a-Queen, producing some odd results that conflict with the judges’ own thinking
#DragRace sees one queen take hold of the strategy of Rate-a-Queen, boosting her to the win this week
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 18, Episode 6 recap: Mother knows best | Xtra Magazine
Athena Dion’s strategic savvy pays off for her in a big way
xtramagazine.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:49 PM
#DragRace sees one queen take hold of the strategy of Rate-a-Queen, boosting her to the win this week
Catherine O’Hara’s special connection with queer people will long be remembered.
Catherine O’Hara was the mother any queer person would want | Xtra Magazine
O’Hara perfected the ability to play inflexible characters capable of change and emotional growth, offering generations of queer folks a form of parental wish fulfillment
xtramagazine.com
February 8, 2026 at 12:11 AM
Catherine O’Hara’s special connection with queer people will long be remembered.
Tim Curran is enjoying the fruits of a hard-won, decades-long battle for gay inclusion in Scouting America.
The first gay man to sue Scouting America becomes a Scout leader, 45 years later | Xtra Magazine
Tim Curran is enjoying the fruits of a hard-won, decades-long battle for gay inclusion in the organization
xtramagazine.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Tim Curran is enjoying the fruits of a hard-won, decades-long battle for gay inclusion in Scouting America.
One week after her sudden passing, queer people are mourning Catherine O’Hara in our own ways. @jplarocque.bsky.social pays tribute to the beloved actor.
Catherine O’Hara was the mother any queer person would want | Xtra Magazine
O’Hara perfected the ability to play inflexible characters capable of change and emotional growth, offering generations of queer folks a form of parental wish fulfillment
xtramagazine.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:38 PM
One week after her sudden passing, queer people are mourning Catherine O’Hara in our own ways. @jplarocque.bsky.social pays tribute to the beloved actor.
She invented the cursed gender reveal cake. And she'd like to take it back.
Inventor of the gender reveal cake is very sorry | Xtra Magazine
Her gender non-conforming kid has taught her that the binary is half-baked
xtramagazine.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:19 PM
She invented the cursed gender reveal cake. And she'd like to take it back.
He was the first gay man to sue Scouting America in 1981. Now he’s a Scout leader. @mikedesocio.com tells @tim1curran.bsky.social’s story.
The first gay man to sue Scouting America becomes a Scout leader, 45 years later | Xtra Magazine
Tim Curran is enjoying the fruits of a hard-won, decades-long battle for gay inclusion in the organization
xtramagazine.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:11 AM
He was the first gay man to sue Scouting America in 1981. Now he’s a Scout leader. @mikedesocio.com tells @tim1curran.bsky.social’s story.
Of all of #DragRace’s attempts to inject more strategy into the gameplay, a delayed Rate-a-Queen twist might be their most clever
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 18, Episode 5 recap: Survival of the draggiest | Xtra Magazine
Rate-a-Queen returns, and brings with it some strong attempts at strategic gameplay
xtramagazine.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:38 PM
Of all of #DragRace’s attempts to inject more strategy into the gameplay, a delayed Rate-a-Queen twist might be their most clever
For all the talk of strategy in Rate-a-Queen rankings, the #DragRace Season 18 queens mostly played fair—and rewarded some truly great performances
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 18, Episode 5 power ranking: The first heat | Xtra Magazine
We’re at the intermission of the talent show—how did the first six queens fare?
xtramagazine.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:49 PM
For all the talk of strategy in Rate-a-Queen rankings, the #DragRace Season 18 queens mostly played fair—and rewarded some truly great performances
It’s not possible for writers and game developers to fulfill everyone’s ideal queer fantasy in a single game.
The queer fantasy of playersexuality | Xtra Magazine
ANALYSIS: Opponents of playersexuality argue that it erases queer representation. Does it really?
xtramagazine.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:19 PM
It’s not possible for writers and game developers to fulfill everyone’s ideal queer fantasy in a single game.
The full lists of the books targeted for removal from two Alberta school districts have been published, and both feature a slew of familiar LGBTQ2S+ titles.
Book ban lists from Edmonton, Calgary school districts released | Xtra Magazine
The Alberta government has mandated that school libraries remove titles with “inappropriate” content
xtramagazine.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:11 AM
The full lists of the books targeted for removal from two Alberta school districts have been published, and both feature a slew of familiar LGBTQ2S+ titles.
While the policy resolution around opposing a conversion therapy ban didn’t pass, the closeness of the vote will put pressure on Poilievre to define his and the party’s stance on conversion therapy and LGBTQ2S+ issues in general writes @melwoods.me
Close vote on conversion therapy ban shows divided Conservative Party | Xtra Magazine
While Pierre Poilievre decisively won his leadership review, his party remains muddled on where to go next
xtramagazine.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:38 PM
While the policy resolution around opposing a conversion therapy ban didn’t pass, the closeness of the vote will put pressure on Poilievre to define his and the party’s stance on conversion therapy and LGBTQ2S+ issues in general writes @melwoods.me
To the far-right, bisexuality represents everything wrong with the modern world. So they’re trying to erase it.
Understanding what the far-right thinks of bisexuality will help us fight for all queer rights | Xtra Magazine
In the imagination of the far-right, bisexuality represents everything wrong with the modern world. So they’re trying to erase it
xtramagazine.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:49 PM
To the far-right, bisexuality represents everything wrong with the modern world. So they’re trying to erase it.