From Toronto's gay village to the Supreme Court of Canada, it was a year to remember. 

In Ontario, the provincial government ushered in hard-won rights and protections for trans people and Catholic students fighting for gay-straight alliances. 

At the federal level, the top court ruled that condoms alone are not enough -- muddying the waters in the divisive area of HIV criminalization and angering activists who have long fought to modernize Canada's laws in this area. 

Meanwhile, Xtra assignment editor Danny Glenwright recalls "fear and shockwaves" among business owners in Toronto's Church Wellesley Village with the opening of a Loblaws megastore. 

For more of Glenwright's top stories of 2012, check out our video below.