Gouincourt Prize Celebrates Inaugural Winners,championing Queer Literature
PARIS - The inaugural gouincourt Prize was awarded to four authors today at a public ceremony held at Point Éphémère in Paris’ 10e district,marking a notable moment for queer depiction in French literature. The prize, established to spotlight works often overlooked by mainstream awards, recognizes novels and essays exploring LGBTQ+ themes and experiences.
The creation of the Gouincourt prize addresses a historical gap in literary recognition. For decades, queer narratives have been marginalized or absent from prestigious awards like the Goncourt, often remaining hidden or receiving limited attention. This new prize, backed by a 5,000 euro budget from the Label gouine association and the Lesbians of General Interest Endowment Fund, aims to elevate these voices and foster greater visibility for queer authors.The inaugural event mirrored the tradition of the Goncourt academy with a deliberation dinner the evening prior.
The jury, comprised of ten artists and book professionals including Meryem Alqamar, Alnana Mouglalis, and Olivia Sanchez, oversaw the selection process. The ceremony featured literary quizzes hosted by Dorothée Barba and Hortense Belhôte, alongside readings from selected texts.
Further details about the winning authors and thier works can be found in Le Monde’s coverage: https://www.lemonde.fr/m-le-mag/article/2025/10/20/le-prix-gouincourt-fait-parler-d-elles-pendant-longtemps-les-thematiques-queer-n-ont-pas-ete-mises-en-avant-dans-les-livres-voire-ont-ete-carrement-cachees_6648195_4500055.html
