Paul Landry Monette (October 16, 1945 – February 10, 1995) was an American author, poet, and activist best known for his books about gay relationships.

Monette would later describe this life in the closet as hindering his personal development as a child, as he was forced to deny a part of his identity that was seen as sinful by everyone around him.

He wrote and published several novels during this time period, starting with Taking Care of Mrs. Carroll in 1978, which featured a gay protagonist.

[8] While writing his novel, Afterlife, Monette met television producer Stephen Kolzak, best known as the casting director for the TV show Cheers.

[13] Horwitz and Monette are buried alongside each other at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills), Los Angeles, California.

Shortly before his death in 1995, Monette established the Monette-Horwitz Trust to commemorate his relationship with Roger Horwitz and to support future LGBT activism and scholarship.

[17] Monette–Horwitz Trust Awards are given annually to individuals and organizations for their contribution to eradicating homophobia through their literary, scholarly, archival, or activist work.

The award's eight-member advisory committee includes Monette's surviving partner, Winston Wilde and the writer Terry Wolverton.