http://www.xtra.ca http://xtra.ca/images/logo_xtra.gif Canada's online source for gay and lesbian news Mayor Rob Ford surprised many in the gay community by attending PFLAG Toronto’s annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) flag-raising event at city hall May 17.   Ford, who attended the IDAHOT event last year, had been holed up in his cit... http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/Mayor_Rob_Ford_shows_up_to_PFLAG_event-13588.aspx Xtra staff Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 EST The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) is trying to ban gay-straight alliances with a new motion that will come before the board May 23. The motion seeks to challenge the Accepti... http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/Toronto_Catholic_school_board_moves_to_ban_GSAs-13586.aspx Andrea Houston Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 EST There were three of them. The one on the left was a macho boy, all muscles and cool hair. On the right, linking arms with him, was a petite girly-boy, camping it up and twirling a parasol. Trailing slightly behind them came a third, gender-neutral. They are Cuba’s new gay-liberation vanguard.... http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/Finding_gay_Havana-13525.aspx Jeffrey Round Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 EST Parents at Toronto’s Delta Alternative Senior School have expressed support for a teacher they say is being vilified for using a poster originally designed for gay bars and bathhouses in his Grade 7 and 8 classrooms. Someone complained to the<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/20... http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/Parents_rally_behind_teacher_who_used_ACT_posters_in_classroom-13554.aspx Andrea Houston Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 EST We've come a long way, baby — even if they don't always notice.   On May 10, Amelia Maltepe made the pages of the Sun Media papers as the Sunshine Girl — the daily piece of female eye-candy on page 3 — and ended up being a big first for the paper, e... http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/Sun_Media_features_transsexual_Sunshine_Girl-13571.aspx Justin Ling Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 EST More than three years after the Ontario Liberals announced, and then promptly shelved, an updated sexual health curriculum, little progress has been made to bring sexual education into the 21st century.   In April 2010, facing protests from religious conservatives, t... http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/Wynne_dawdles_on_Ontario_sexed_curriculum-13549.aspx Marcus McCann Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 EST For many in Toronto’s queer community, Hanlan’s Point Beach on Centre Island is sacred ground. It was the site of a historic gay picnic — considered by many to be the first Pride gathering — and it’s also home to one of the country’s only nude beaches. <br ... http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/Porter_extension_on_Toronto_Island_would_threaten_Hanlanaposs_Point_councillors-13542.aspx Andrea Houston Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 EST ProudPolitics is opening up what its supporters hope will be one big, gay political incubator, protecting queer little eggs until they hatch into full-fledged political birds.   The group, itself only recently broken out of its shell, is an Ontario-based outfit looki... http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/Ontario_group_looking_for_politically_engaged_gays-13543.aspx Justin Ling Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 EST Kinnon Ross MacKinnon can dead-lift (that’s bending over, grasping a barbell and straightening up into a standing position) about two-and-a-half times his bodyweight — 391 pounds. He plans to up that number to 405 pounds.   He can rock Rocky Balboa-style ... http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/Power_and_personality-13522.aspx Jeremy Willard Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 EST Seven organizations advocating for sex workers in Canada and around the world have been denied the right to intervene in the Supreme Court case that will decide on the constitutionality of Canada’... http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/Sex_worker_groups_denied_intervenor_status_in_Supreme_Court_case-13517.aspx Rob Salerno Tue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 EST