June marks the onset of Pride Month! In celebration, we shine a light on the latest works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and comics by 2SLGBTQ+ authors in Canada that deserve a spot on your reading list this year.
A novel worth exploring is “A Minor Chorus” by Billy Ray Belcourt. This captivating story follows an unnamed protagonist who abandons his thesis and returns to his hometown, engaging in a series of conversations that bring modern queer and Indigenous experiences to the forefront. Notably, this novel was a finalist in the 2026 Canada Reads, championed by Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers.
Belcourt, a writer and academic hailing from Driftpile Cree Nation in Alberta, has garnered accolades for his literary works. His debut poetry collection, “This Wound is a World,” clinched the prestigious 2018 Griffin Poetry Prize. He is also known for his memoir “A History of My Brief Body” and the short story collection “Coexistence,” while currently teaching creative writing at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.
Another compelling read is “Motherclown” by Harriet Alida Lye. This novel follows Elise, who leaves Niagara Falls to pursue clowning in Paris after her father’s passing. As her mother, Catherine, follows her to Paris to reignite her creativity, a complex mother-daughter dynamic unfolds, revealing deep-seated regrets and the struggle to communicate effectively.
Harriet Alida Lye, a Toronto-based author, has penned several engaging works, including novels like “Let It Destroy You” and “The Honey Farm,” a memoir titled “Natural Killer,” and a picture book co-authored with Rosa Rankin-Gee called “Serge the Snail Without a Shell.”
Delve into “And Then Again Begin” by H. Nigel Thomas, the fourth volume of The No Safeguards Quartet. This novel delves into the lives of two married men in Montreal who conceal their relationship from their families in St. Vincent. Exploring themes of trauma and hidden identities, Thomas intricately weaves a narrative that sheds light on the complexities of relationships and personal struggles.
H. Nigel Thomas, a Vincentian Canadian author with a diverse literary portfolio spanning fiction, poetry, and literary criticism, has been recognized with prestigious awards like the Canada Council for the Arts Molson Prize and the Jackie Robinson Professional of the Year Award. Currently residing in Montreal, Thomas continues to enrich the literary landscape with his thought-provoking works.
“Heated Rivalry” by Rachel Reid, the second book in the Game Changers series, offers a captivating portrayal of a secret romance between rival professional hockey players, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. Set against the backdrop of the Montreal Voyageurs and the Boston Bears, this novel delves into the complexities of love, career, and personal choices.
Rachel Reid, a Nova Scotia-based author renowned for her queer hockey romances, has received acclaim for her literary contributions. Noteworthy works include “Time To Shine” and the Game Changers series, which inspired the television adaptation “Heated Rivalry.” In 2026, Reid was honored with the Changemaker Award for the Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Canada.
Explore these diverse and engaging narratives by Canadian 2SLGBTQ+ writers, each offering unique perspectives and storytelling that resonate with readers across various genres and themes.