June is Pride Month! In celebration, we’re showcasing the latest fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and comics by 2SLGBTQ+ writers in Canada to enhance your reading list this year.
**A Minor Chorus** by Billy Ray Belcourt
*A Minor Chorus* is a novel that tracks an unnamed protagonist who abandons his thesis and returns to his hometown, engaging in a series of dialogues that shed light on contemporary queer and Indigenous experiences. It was among the finalists on *Canada Reads* 2026, championed by Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers. Belcourt, a writer and academic from Driftpile Cree Nation in Alberta, won the 2018 Griffin Poetry Prize for his collection *This Wound is a World* and is known for works like *A History of My Brief Body* and *Coexistence*. He currently resides in Vancouver and teaches creative writing at the University of British Columbia.
**Motherclown** by Harriet Alida Lye
In *Motherclown*, Elise decides to leave Niagara Falls for Paris to pursue clowning after her father’s passing. Her mother, Catherine, follows suit to reignite her creative spark. As mother and daughter grapple with untold truths, they navigate their strained relationship. Harriet Alida Lye, a Toronto-based author, has penned novels like *Let It Destroy You* and *The Honey Farm*, along with the memoir *Natural Killer* and the picture book *Serge the Snail Without a Shell*.
**And Then Again Begin** by H. Nigel Thomas
*And Then Again Begin*, part of The No Safeguards Quartet by H. Nigel Thomas, delves into the lives of two married men in Montreal concealing their relationship from their families in St. Vincent. Thomas, a Vincentian Canadian author with a diverse literary portfolio, resides in Montreal and has been honored with prestigious awards like the Canada Council for the Arts Molson Prize and the Jackie Robinson Professional of the Year Award.
**Heated Rivalry** by Rachel Reid
*Heated Rivalry*, the second installment in the Game Changers series by Rachel Reid, explores the clandestine romance between hockey rivals Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. Their bond transcends the game, presenting them with a choice between love and sport. Rachel Reid from Nova Scotia, renowned for her queer hockey romances, received the Changemaker Award for the Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Canada.
**A Kiss of Crimson Ash** by Anuja Varghese
In *A Kiss of Crimson Ash*, Taara, the new Queen of Abhaya, navigates an arranged marriage while entangled in a tale of love, betrayal, and ancient powers. Anuja Varghese, an acclaimed author whose short story collection *Chrysalis* garnered prestigious awards, crafts a captivating narrative of intrigue and valor.
**The Cure for Drowning** by Loghan Paylor
*The Cure for Drowning* chronicles Kit McNair’s journey from rural Ontario to war-torn landscapes, exploring love, loss, and resilience. Loghan Paylor, an Ontario-born writer residing in B.C., weaves a poignant narrative that clinched the Canada Reads 2026 title and garnered critical acclaim.
**Three Parties** by Ziyad Saadi
*Three Parties* follows Firas Dareer, a queer Palestinian refugee orchestrating a pivotal birthday dinner to come out to his community. Ziyad Saadi, a Vancouver writer, unveils a compelling tale of self-discovery and acceptance in his debut novel.
**Is This A Cry For Help?** by Emily Austin
*Is This A Cry For Help?* delves into a librarian’s journey post-mental breakdown, intertwining personal turmoil with a fight for intellectual freedom. Emily Austin, an Ottawa-based writer, intricately explores themes of identity and resilience in her latest work.
**Pitiful** by Brandi Bird
*Pitiful*, a poetry collection by Brandi Bird, delves into the depths of depression and body image struggles. Bird, an Indigiqueer writer with a penchant for poignant verse, unearths the complexities of mental health and self-acceptance in their evocative works.
**Colin Gets Promoted and Dooms the World** by Mark Waddell
In Mark Waddell’s debut novel, *Colin Gets Promoted and Dooms the World*, a chance encounter unravels a sinister plot, plunging the world into chaos. Waddell, a Vancouver Island-based writer and historian, crafts a gripping narrative of ambition and consequences.
**As Good a Place as Any** by Rebecca Păpucaru
*As Good a Place as Any* traces Paulina’s journey from Chile to Toronto, blending dreams of stardom with a fight for personal convictions. Rebecca Păpucaru