The Pearl Prize 2026 - A Collection of International Queer Writing

'Turning the names inside out'

Queer name tags once thought of as prejudice are transformed by us into strength and might to empower. In 2026 we asked writers to look into the world of linguistics and create a story that takes the former derogatory terms for LGBTQIA people and use it with your own words. 

SO LETS TAKE THEM ON: lemons, cherries, bananas, doughnuts, and fudge out of the cookie jar and fridge and take us on a journey.... may the words be with you.

In 2026 The Pearl Prize went international with entries open to writers from Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan. The volume also includes the photographic series FORMOSA and an introduction by Jun Wu.