Xtra Magazine

Xtra is a non-profit online magazine and community platform covering LGBTQ2S+ culture, politics, relationships and health. Xtra aims to break boundaries, think outside of binaries and build bridges within its communities and beyond. It offers insight, context and background on current events and contemporary culture, with policies and processes in place designed to ensure the highest journalistic principles of accuracy, integrity and transparency. 

Xtra is committed to being accurate, truthful and fair. It has policies to ensure that sources are reliable and credible, and to make clear what its sources are and what motivations and interests they may have. Xtra is committed to not plagiarizing or violating copyrights, and to correcting errors quickly and transparently. It has standards in place designed to avoid any real, potential or perceived conflicts of interest that might undermine Xtra’s ability to report fairly, and to use confidential sources sparingly to provide important information that cannot be obtained through on-the-record sources. Reporters are instructed to disclose the identity of unnamed sources to their editor or manager. 

Xtra, first published 1984 in Toronto, Canada, is operated by Pink Triangle Press (PTP). Founded in 1971 with its flagship publication, The Body Politic, Pink Triangle Press is one of the world’s oldest independent LGBTQ2S+ media groups. PTP is a taxable Ontario corporation without share capital, which means it does not have shareholders or owners who benefit from the activities of the Corporation — it is an incorporated not-for-profit entity governed by a board of directors elected by the PTP membership.

As a publication by, for and about LGBTQ2S+ people, Xtra is committed to employment equity and to reflecting the viewpoints and experiences of all members of its communities. It recognizes the intersectionality of identities (of race, sex, gender identity, sexuality, ability, class, faith, language and so on) in its communities, and believes that inclusion and diversity — in its staff, contributors, sources, subjects, voice and audience — is central to its work.

Xtra is committed to the highest journalistic principles of accuracy, accountability and transparency, as outlined in its Newsroom Ethics and Guidelines. Xtra aims to ensure work is accurate upon its publication. If a factual error has occurred, it will correct or update the story and inform its audience with a note on the story that includes the correct information, what was originally published that was incorrect and the date the change was made.

Xtra has made a commitment to use confidential sources sparingly to provide important information that cannot be obtained through on-the-record sources. It asks its reporters to disclose the identity of unnamed sources to their editor or manager. When unnamed sources are used, Xtra says that it discloses the reasons for granting confidentiality, such as fear for the source’s safety or job.