The Violet Letter, August 2026

It’s an earlier email this month, as there are so many things happening this week in the city. In fact, I am organizing three events in the next eight days, all to celebrate Pride season in Montreal.

To start, we have the first of two VHBC meetings in August. We’ll be gathering to discuss De Profundis (written in 1897) by Oscar Wilde at Mes Pants de Queer (2025 Parthenais #241) on Saturday, August 1 at 3 PM. Latin for “from the depths,” De Profundis is a letter that Wilde wrote to his lover Lord Alfred “Bosie” Douglas near the end of his two-year sentence in Reading Goal, where he was incarcerated for gross indecency.

While not as famous as his other work, De Profundis might be Wilde’s most ambitious text. Known for his comedy and wit, Wilde is uncharacteristically somber and raw in these pages (yet still insightful and biting). You can tell he has been thinking a lot about the crime that put him in jail, and how, in his suffering, it has made him more human (at times, I was reminded of Anderson Cooper’s famous interview with Stephen Colbert on grief). I’m sure there will be a lot to talk about when we meet.

Note: When I first made the selection, I didn’t realize there are different versions of this text. The version in anthologies and online are mostly a long excerpt that focuses on the philosophical passages about art, suffering, and Jesus Christ. We’ll mostly focus on this excerpt, but we can talk about the complete and unexpurgated text too, if people have read it (but don’t feel like you need to read it all for the discussion).

The second event I’m organizing (with close friends) is another Dad Bod Tea Dance (Sunday, August 2). I thought there was something poetic about holding a tea dance the same weekend we discuss the text Oscar Wilde wrote while incarcerated.

Historically (or at least rumour has it), afternoon tea dances were popular in the 50s and 60s because they offered a lower-profile alternative to bars, which were often targeted by police. It’s hard to believe there was a time you could be arrested for dancing with a member of the same sex.

So come out and dance with us in the name of love! Our resident DJs Dr. Love and Laura Ingalls will be spinning classic house tracks from 5 PM to 9 PM at Robin des Bois (3933 Av. du Parc-La Fontaine). Artist GeneralAmazingness will also be selling some original t-shirts inspired by this month’s artwork.

You can get your tickets to Dad Bod here.

And then on Wednesday, August 5, I’ll be interviewing Montreal author Peter Dubé at the double launch of reissues of his first two books: Hovering World (with a new introduction by Daniel Allen Cox) and At the Bottom of the Sky (with a new introduction by Trebor Healey). Both are books are being put out by Rebel Satori’s Library of Homosexual Congress imprint, which breathes new life into classic gay lit.

Peter has long been a figure in Montreal’s literary scene, with more than 11 books to his name. Known for his experimental and unconventional fiction, he is a surrealist who works never cease to titillate (his writing has been described as “weird, sweaty and lush”). I’ve known him for more than twenty years and am grateful for both his work and our friendship. Hopefully, you’ll join us starting at Argo Bookshop (1841-A St. Catherine Street West) beginning at 7 PM for the event. Please RSVP, so we know how many people are coming.

Also: Hovering World will be our October book club selection.

Finally, I’ll be tabling at Community Day on St. Catherine Street East in the Village on Saturday, August 8 (from 11 AM to 5 PM). Not sure where my table will be, but I will share my location on Instagram the morning of. Come say hi!

The second August selection for the VHBC in Montreal is the hugely popular The Song of Achilles (2011) by Madeline Miller, a retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Achilles and Patroclus. The meeting will take place on Sunday, August 23 at 3 PM at Espace des Possibles dans La Petite-Patrie (1052 Beaubien East).

ABOUT THE BOOK

Greece in the age of Heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the kingdom of Phthia. Here he is nobody, just another unwanted boy living in the shadow of King Peleus and his golden son, Achilles.

Achilles, “best of all the Greeks,” is everything Patroclus is not — strong, beautiful, the child of a goddess — and by all rights their paths should never cross. Yet one day, Achilles takes the shamed prince under his wing and soon their tentative connection gives way to a steadfast friendship. As they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine, their bond blossoms into something far deeper — despite the displeasure of Achilles’ mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess with a hatred of mortals.

Fate is never far from the heels of Achilles. When word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, the men of Greece are called upon to lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of a glorious destiny, Achilles joins their cause. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows Achilles into war, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they have learned, everything they hold dear. And that, before he is ready, he will be forced to surrender his friend to the hands of Fate.

Profoundly moving and breathtakingly original, this rendering of the epic Trojan War is a dazzling feat of the imagination, a devastating love story, and an almighty battle between gods and kings, peace and glory, immortal fame and the human heart.

UPCOMING SELECTIONS

• Saturday, September 26 at 3 PM: Shuggie Bain (2020) by Douglas Stuart, led by VHBC member Héctor Gálvez

• Sunday, October 25 at 3 PM: Hovering World (2002/2026) by Peter Dubé

Both meetings will take place at Espace des Possibles dans La Petite-Patrie (1052 Beaubien East).

Reminder: All VHBC titles are available at Librairie Paragraphe Bookstore (2220, McGill College Ave) at 15% off and at Librairie Pulp Books & Cafe (3952 Wellington St.) at 10% off.

The Toronto chapter of the VHBC continues with its sixth selection: What Belongs to You (2016) by Garth Greenwell (the Montreal chapter read the book in 2020). Join moderator Larry Baer at Another Story Bookshop (315 Roncesvalles Ave.) on Tuesday, August 25 at 7 PM for the discussion. The bookstore asks that you please RSVP in advance.

Each month I ask VHBC members to share what books they’re currently reading and why it resonates. This month’s pick is by John Fairbrother who has been a book club member since July 2025. This month John recommends The Coming Storm, by Paul Russell.

“Paul Russell is an American author whose first novel appeared in 1990 and who has published eight major novels to date. Each of his novels delve into different issues, challenges, and situations experienced by gay men and the persons with whom they interact. These are not just stories of gay men, but intricately woven stories involving cross sections of a community or a group of people, of which one or several happen to be gay. I came across one of these novels several years ago and have systematically read most of them, all being available at the BANQ.

“His most recent novel, The Angels Came to Sodom in the Evening, will be published later this year, and deals with queer desire, masculinity, and religious influence. I will look out for it. I enjoyed reading and would recommend all of his novels, however, The Coming Storm particularly resonated with me because of the brilliant writing, well-constructed complex story, rich characterization, and emotional depth. It dealt most delicately with a very difficult subject — an illicit relationship between a young gay teacher and a male secondary student, and the impact on their lives and on those of the more senior headmaster and his wife. In the telling of this story, the innermost secrets, past and present, of the four main characters were progressively revealed, making a very satisfactory read.”

New books to discover: Daughter of the Mountains by Fatimah Asghar; Perverts: Stories by Mac Crane; The Brides by Charlotte Cross; Unsayable: A Life in Writing by Michael Cunningham; Hovering World by Peter Dubé; At the Bottom of the Sky by Peter Dubé; The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Gay by Eliot Glazer; Chosen Family by Madeleine Gray; How to Date a Fanatic by Aruni Kashyap; The Fight of Our Lives: AIDS in America by David Levithan and Gabriel Duckels; The Life of a Creature by Nadja Lubiw-Hazard; Drag Thing: A Memoir of Mania and Mirrors by Gabe Montesanti; Heartstopper Volume 6 by Alice Oseman; and Fabulous Bodies by Chuck Tingle.

Another new book out this month is Confluence. The novel-in-stories is a labour of love, completed by writer Lucian Childs after the death of his husband Alex Turner, who had been working on the stories for almost two decades. Set in the 50s and 60s in the Upper Fraser Valley and a pre-Stonewall gay Vancouver, the coming-of-age novel tells the story of a young gay man who leaves his small town looking for love and adventure.

Legendary gay activist Michael Hendricks has passed away. Queer Montrealers owe him a big debt of gratitude. Among his many accomplishments, Michael co-founded ACT UP Montreal, Dire enfin la violence and the Table de concertation des lesbiennes et des gais du Grand Montréal. He also successfully sued the provincial government for the right of same-sex couples to be legally married in Quebec. You can read his obituary in The Montreal Gazette.

Fierté littéraire have planned many literary activities during Fierté Montreal, starting this week. Among them is Des livres et des paillettes (Friday, July 31) where the inaugural Prix Fondation Lambda de l’écrivain·e francophone 2ELGBTQ+ émergent·e will be awarded to an emerging queer author writing in French in Quebec. The prize is bestowed by Lambda Scholarship Foundation Canada (and created by VHBC member Darren Stehle). The ceremony will take place starting at 5 PM at Place du Village and will feature readings by the finalists.

Other events organized by Fierté littéraire this week: Les signes de la diversité (August 1), La diversité en toutes lettres (August 1), Transpoésies (August 2), Le combat aux mots (August 3), and Le grand effeuillage littéraire (August 4). The organization will also take part in both Community Days (August 7 and 8) with their Salon du livre en plein air and Vagabondage littéraire.

The Archives gaies du Quebec also have some programming planned. Check out the art exhibit The Coming Out of Montreal’s Gay Village (1974–1990), which covers the years surrounding the migration of Montreal’s gay community from downtown to where it is now. The exhibit opens on July 31 at Fierté Montréal’s headquarters (1314 St. Catherine Street East). A 60-page colour catalogue of the exhibition (a partnership with ACCM) is available in English.

Also, during Community Day, be sure to check out Mur des mémoires Queer, which features portraits and testimonials sharing the life stories of older members of the community.

Wild Pride has also planned a significant number of literary activities, too. Catch White As Snow, written and performed by Rose-Ingrid Benjamin (August 1), which blends spoken word, music, and storytelling. Se retrouver à travers l’écriture (August 2) is a workshop that offers an introduction to intuitive writing through oracle cards. VHBC member Afrooz Zaad hosts Queer Echoes from Iran (August 5), an evening of short stories and poems in the languages in which they were originally written, read by the authors, along with translated English and French versions. Bookstore Joie de Livres presents WILD PRIDE x Telling Queer Stories (August 5), a conversation on queer storytelling and belonging with Dr. Alex Ketchum, Ayla Vejdani, francesca ekwuyasi, Ayavi Lake, and Dr. Casey Burkholder. The Afro-Queer Open Mic (August 5) is a dedicated space for Black & BIPOC queer voices to speak, be heard, and express themselves. And don’t miss the launch of Blackout Magazine (August 6), the first magazine dedicated to BIPOC voices in Tiohtià:ke/Montréal.

Want to read more queer books in French? The Cercle de lecture LGBTQ+ gets together more often than we do! Right now they are reading the third section of N’essuie jamais de larmes sans gants by Jonas Gardell (meeting on August 15), Confessions d’un masque by Yukio Mishima (meeting on August 30) and Nos femmes sous la mer by Julia Armfield (meeting on September 5, reserved for women and non-binary members). Meetings take place at Arte & Farina (1550 St. Catherine Street East) in the Village. Join their Facebook group to learn more.

Montreal’s Queer Cinema Club has announced their next selections: The Times of Harvey Milk (August 27), a Marlon Riggs double feature (September 17), and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (October 29).

Writer and VHBC member Lukas Rowland is launching Somatic Storytelling, a series of online sessions that combine gentle movement, meditation, and journalling. Sessions take place on Sundays at 8 PM until September. Tickets are pay what you can. Sign up here.

The beginning of August has been Pride in Montreal for as long as I can remember. When I was an otter in my twenties (working at Toys R Us on the south shore), I would call the offices at Divers/Cité (how our Pride was known back then) in January to get the dates for that year’s celebration so I could make sure to book the right dates off for my summer vacation. And when that time came, I’d go to as many events as possible.

To my surprise, two years after discovering Pride, I ended up working for Divers/Cité. I was their communications guy for eight years (1997-2000; 2002-2005). My job was to help promote the celebrations, both locally and in other markets (watch a super clip of me speaking to press over the years). I’d write copy, pitch stories, book ads, help produce the program, set up interviews, speak to the media. Sometimes, I’d even get to travel to other cities to promote ours (Toronto, New York, San Francisco).

I’m nostalgic for that period in my life because so much was new. I’d bring in my bulky Mac desktop computer from home (because their offices only had two) and write press releases. Then I’d spend hours faxing them to newsrooms across Montreal. I’d also call up bars and bookstores in other cities and ask them if we could send them flyers (and then I’d mail them). It was in these offices I used e-mail for the first time. Where I died my hair blonde; then blue.

Divers/Cité’s co-founders Puelo Dier and Suzanne Girard were like queer parents to me (as was Ian Abinakle, who took over from Puelo after he left). I learned a lot from my time with them, and marvelled at the community they were able to mobilize — and not just the crowds, I’m talking about the individuals and artists who would come in to the offices to talk about the projects they would work on together.

This is where I’d see the queens from the night before show up in their daytime drag and smoke joints and talk about the musical numbers they were planning for the celebrations. Where this guy named Jeff would always whip up some crazy club-inspired decor for our promotional activities and build our float every year. I remember Miriam coming in with her bike helmet to drop off tickets for the yearly Sapphic fundraiser, Le Boudoir. And Alex coming by to show us the original shirts he had designed for us to wear. There was this DIY ethos to pretty much everything that went on. We tried to make things happen, and with so little money.

That’s not to say we didn’t want (or need) money. Suzanne would apply for funding, seek out sponsorship opportunities, but we never got much. Back then, we had to convince people we were worth supporting. I remember only having two corporate sponsors in those early days (Molson and Air Canada, because gays really do love to drink and travel). I know both companies got flack for doing it.

The economic impact of Pride on the city was new and significant. “It’s like gay Christmas,” I remember one of the bar owners telling the media who were now interested in the idea of the “pink dollar.” Not long after, some of the Village bars began to boycott Divers/Cité because they didn’t like that the celebration had to be moved out of St. Catherine Street East to nearby Berri Square for safety reasons, didn’t like they could no longer sell booze on the street. Suzanne had to deal with a lot of misogyny in those years. I remember a particular meeting at Drugstore one year where the business owners tore into her. She was always tough as nails, though.

I also fell in love while working for Divers/Cité. And then I had my heart broken, too. I met many friends I am still immensely close with today (ultimately, what I was looking for). I tried to pay homage to that time in my life in The Family Way, but I felt I only scratched the surface. Maybe one day, I’ll write a whole book about that time. Maybe the character of Alan needs his own novel.

At some point, I quit. I was tired. I felt like I could no longer grow in the role. I also had had enough of the bickering. The couple years afterwards were the hardest, feeling lost on the day of the big event with no responsibilities. I’d just walk in circles, looking for people I knew. There was an emptiness now that hadn’t been there before. And the party went on without me.

I obviously don’t feel that way now (it’s been 20 years). I regularly enjoy Pride celebrations as a member of the public and as someone who now organizes his own Pride events — whether or not they are considered “official.” But I don’t chase after it the way I once did (I no longer call the office for the next year’s dates). I will always, however, remember its importance in my life. And I know that it now holds that same importance for someone else.

Even though Pride celebrations continue to remake themselves, as each generation makes it their own, I don’t think the essential moments will be radically different, no matter who organizes it. There will always be moments of love and joy, as well as moments of grievance and frustration. People feel passionately about Pride more than they do about any other city festival. There is a sense of ownership there, and they are not wrong. Pride does belong to all of us. And we can choose to celebrate it however we want. Happy Pride!

That’s it for this month. Thanks to all my paid subscribers for their support. Stay up to date and follow the Violet Hour Book Club on Instagram.