The Conversation
Has Pride been coopted? This year’s Pride parade spectators have been asked to wear black in honour of the victims of serial killers. A drag queen at the Toronto 2016 gay pride parade. Shutterstock

Pride Month

Is queer culture losing its radical roots?

Sky Gilbert, University of Guelph

There are now many gender categorizations, from the traditional ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’ to ‘gender fluid’ and ‘undifferentiatied.’ Health researchers can work with these to gain a more accurate understanding of disease susceptibilities. (Shutterstock)

How sex and gender both shape your health

Lisa F. Carver, Queen's University, Ontario

Math Catcher volunteer, Janelle Dobson-Kocsis from the Kwanlin Dun Band, works with a student to build an object called “tensegrity.” This is one of Math Cather’s hands-on activities developed by volunteer and former PhD student, Alejandro Erickson. Math Catcher Program

National Indigenous Peoples Day

Mathematics talent abounds in Indigenous communities

Veselin Jungic, Simon Fraser University

A group of asylum seekers arrive at the temporary housing facilities at the border crossing Wednesday May 9, 2018 in St. Bernard-de-Lacolle, Quebec. Thousands of asylum seekers came into Canada illegally across the Canada-U.S. border in the first quarter of the year, but only a fraction were removed from the country during that time. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

U.S.-Canada refugees deal is unconstitutional

Sean Rehaag, York University, Canada

Rapper Drake watches the action at an NBA game in Toronto in 2016. A recent battle between Drake and Pusha-T brought the issue of blackface back into the headlines. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

The problem with blackface

Philip S. S. Howard, McGill University

Is blackface ever innocent? Is it less racist when a Black person enacts it as a statement of resistance? Because of our history of deep and ongoing racism in Canada, the answer is no.
The daily fluctuations in the stock market can have a serious emotional impact on people watching their stock portfolios, when the less stressful strategy would be to pay attention to long-term trends. (Shutterstock)

Managing the highs and lows of data overload

Kyle Murray, University of Alberta and Dominic Thomas, Monash University

Today it's estimated that we take in about five times as much information as we did 25 years ago, and that we process as much data in a day as our 15th century ancestors would have in their lifetime.
Superstar Diego Maradona holds up the World Cup trophy in 1986. The World Cup tournament may prompt some people to get out and play themselves, leading to possible injuries. (AP Photo/Carlo Fumagalli)

If you catch World Cup fever, here’s how to prevent injuries

Oluwatoyosi Owoeye, University of Calgary

It's easy to get caught up in World Cup fever. But if watching the beautiful game inspires you to get out and play, injury prevention is vital.
A negative performance review along with the knowledge that one is not considered to be ‘highly sought after talent,’ can be demotivating to your staff. Štefan Štefančík/ Unsplash

Why your boss should say you’re doing ok

Anand van Zelderen, Katholiek Universiteit of Leuven and Yannick Griep, University of Calgary

Don't tell your employee they are not doing well, according to new research. "White lies" coming form managers to staff about how well they are doing can help with their motivation.
Summarizing research on more than 50,000 teens from the United States, Europe and Asia, researchers found that online solicitations come from other youth as well as adults. (Shutterstock)

One in five youth see unwanted sexual content online

Sheri Madigan, University of Calgary and Gina Dimitropoulos, University of Calgary

A shocking number of kids between the ages of nine and 17 are accidentally exposed to sexual content and solicitations online when using computers and tablets.
Employees of Starbucks Coffee in the United States and Canada will receive “implicit bias” training. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy

Starbucks and the impact of implicit bias training

Javeed Sukhera, Western University

Starbucks is implementing implicit bias training for its employees in the United States and Canada. Even though we are not aware implicit biases, they lead to discriminatory behaviours.
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne acknowledges her supporters following the defeat of her party in the provincial election on June 7. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin

How homophobia, misogyny & race played a role in the Ontario election

Sharlee Cranston-Reimer, Brock University

How has sexuality, gender and race played a role in the career of Kathleen Wynne, who stepped down as Ontario Liberal leader after her party's disastrous showing in the provincial election?
The Finnish R6 eSports proleague team, winners of Rainbow Six Pro League Championship in Sao Paulo. (Ubisoft)

Video gamers may soon earn more than athletes

Louis-Etienne Dubois, Ryerson University and Laurel Walzak, Ryerson University

Media giants like ESPN may have thought that eSports was a fad but not anymore. Revenue from eSports video games are set to take over traditional sports leagues.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer immigrants are generally not considered by policymakers and settlement providers. Shutterstock

Pride month

LGBTQ immigrants need better settlement services

Sulaimon Giwa, Memorial University of Newfoundland

A recent study reveals that immigrant-serving organizations in Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador do not demonstrate an awareness of racially diverse LGBTQ immigrants.
In this file photo, cognitive scientist and psychologist Steven Pinker addresses the Origins Symposium at Arizona State University on April 6, 2009 in Tempe, AZ. Shutterstock

‘Enlightenment Now’ and the violence of empire

Vijay Kolinjivadi, Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO)

Steven Pinker's latest work disturbingly casts aside the violent exploits and mechanistic logic of Eurocentric "progress."
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau chats with Mike Schroepfer, chief technology officer at Facebook, during the launch of an artificial intelligence research lab Friday, September 15, 2017 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Canada’s weak response to the Facebook scandal

Sara Bannerman, McMaster University and Charnjot Shokar, McMaster University

The Liberal government is in the process of wooing tech giants as economic partners. They use Facebook data to help them win elections. How then will they regulate the privacy of our data?
Australian scientist David Goodall photographed in Basel, Switzerland, on May 8, 2018 ended his life in with assisted suicide. (AP Photo/Jamey Keaten)

‘Suicide tourism’ and the Swiss model of the right to die

Samuel Blouin, Université de Montréal

Recent stories in the media highlight the idea of suicide tourism to Switzerland. But what does that mean? How is the Swiss view of assisted dying different from the Canadian one?
The Pulitzer Prize winning emcee Kendrick Lamar recently asked a white fan to refrain from rapping the n-word. A video recording of the incident has reignited a controversy that gained wide attention last year. In this 2016 file photo, Kendrick Lamar performs in New York. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP, File)

White people should never rap the n-word

Darin Flynn, University of Calgary

At one of his shows, rapper Kendrick Lamar asked a white fan to refrain from rapping the n-word. A video of the incident has reignited a controversy: can white people ever rap the n-word?

More analysis and comment

Quote of the Day

Suggesting that Canadian blackface is not a problem is to perpetuate the myth that Canada does not have historical and ongoing issues with racism. Philip S. S. Howard Assistant Professor of Education, McGill University

Pride

Blockorama celebrated its 19th year this Pride; a hard won right to celebrate. (GerardRichardson.com)

Right to party: 20 years of Black Queer love and resilience

Beverly Bain, University of Toronto

One of the lesser known demands of Black Lives Matter is the right to a safe space to celebrate Black Queer Lives. This year's Blockorama party in Toronto is evidence the movement is progressing.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer immigrants are generally not considered by policymakers and settlement providers. Shutterstock

LGBTQ immigrants need better settlement services

Sulaimon Giwa, Memorial University of Newfoundland

A recent study reveals that immigrant-serving organizations in Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador do not demonstrate an awareness of racially diverse LGBTQ immigrants.
Rod Stewart performs in concert last July at Jones Beach theatre in Wantagh, N.Y. (Shutterstock)

Why Rod Stewart’s gay ballad ‘Georgie’ was ahead of its time

Robert Morrison, Queen's University, Ontario

Rod Stewart, one of the greatest rock 'n' roll singers, is still current with his new DNCE co-release. What many don't know is 40 years ago he wrote the first pop song to address gay rights.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has apologized to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and two-spirited people who were forced out of the military or public service and some who were even prosecuted criminally for “gross indecency.” (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

LGBTQ2 apology is a good start, but it’s not enough

John Paul Catungal, University of British Columbia

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau plans to make a formal apology to LGBTQ2 communities for past state-sanctioned discrimination against them in Canada. But the apology must be more than just words.
Hidden Figures, the movie, showcased the importance of Black women in mathematics. (Twentieth Century Fox)

Gender parity and queer awareness needed in mathematics

Anthony Bonato, Ryerson University

Mathematics departments in Canada have a poor record on equity, diversity and inclusivity says a gay mathematics professor. Here he speaks about the hopeful changes he sees coming.
Some LGBTQ Canadians who travel for work may purchase an extra laptop or cell phone to ensure no personal photos or contacts are on their devices. Bambi Corro/Unsplash

Ensuring equity for LGBTQ Canadians on the road

Kaela Jubas, University of Calgary

How do LGBTQ people navigate international business, scholarship or sports competition when traveling to countries hostile to LGBTQ people?
Queer Eye has made some strides. In this new version, the producers have addressed broader issues of gender, race, religion and politics than before. However, the show as before, showcases consumerism as the way to a better life. (Netflix)

‘Queer Eye’ and the myth of the self-made man

Stefanie Duguay, Concordia University

The new Queer Eye has viewers hooked on its emotional ride through men's lives, aiming to embrace diversity and counter toxic masculinity. Yet its focus on consumerism threatens its lofty ideals.
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne acknowledges her supporters following the defeat of her party in the provincial election on June 7. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin

How homophobia, misogyny & race played a role in the Ontario election

Sharlee Cranston-Reimer, Brock University

How has sexuality, gender and race played a role in the career of Kathleen Wynne, who stepped down as Ontario Liberal leader after her party's disastrous showing in the provincial election?

More

How we are different

10 reasons

Most Read past week

  1. Trump’s act of state terrorism against children
  2. Grindr profile pics are all about the hookup
  3. The preferred jobs of serial killers and psychopaths
  4. Playing this board game will challenge your ideas about refugees
  5. Video gamers may soon be paid more than top pro athletes

Pitch an idea

Got a news tip or article idea for The Conversation?

Tell us

Our Audience

The Conversation has a monthly audience of 10.7 million users, and reach of 38.2 million through Creative Commons republication.

Want to Write?

Write an article and join a growing community of more than 68,900 academics and researchers from 2,378 institutions.

Register now