US EditionPolari Prize Organisers Cancel Book Prize over Trans Controversy
The Polari Prize paused its 2025 awards after over 800 publishing professionals protested John Boyne's inclusion, prompting withdrawals and a planned review of diversity policies.
- On Monday , the Polari Prize announced it paused its 2025 competition amid backlash over longlisting John Boyne, a self-proclaimed TERF.
- Controversy erupted earlier this month when Boyne, who supports gender-critical views and described himself as a 'TERF' last month, was longlisted for Earth.
- More than 800 writers and publishing-industry workers signed for Boyne’s removal, with two judges and authors like Sacha Coward withdrawing in protest.
- Polari organisers apologized for 'hurt and anger' and paused the awards while pledging a full review to support trans and non-binary authors.
- Moving forward, Polari plans to review aims and values to support LGBTQ+ authors, including trans and non-binary people, after discussions with authors, judges, and funders.
19 Articles
19 Articles
LGBTQ+ prize cancelled after backlash over Irish author's views
The organisers of the 2025 Polari Prize, a prominent literary award celebrating LGBTQ+ literature from writers born or based in the UK and Ireland, have paused this year's competition following widespread backlash over the inclusion of author John Boyne.
The British Polari Prize – a literary prize to promote LGBTQI issues – is being cancelled after the nomination of author John Boyne sparked strong protests, the BBC reports.
LGBTQ+ literary prize paused following boycott over inclusion of Irish "terf" John Boyne
The Polari Prize, a UK literary award celebrating LGBTQ+ writing, has announced that it will “pause” this year’s competition following a mass boycott over the inclusion of Irish author John Boyne, a self-described “terf”. After the longlist was announced on August 1, including a novella by John Boyne, over half of the nominated authors pulled….
LGBTQ+ literary prize paused after it longlisted a transphobic author - and got the appropriate backlash
An award for LGBTQ+ authors has been getting a lot of attention recently, but for all the wrong reasons. The Polari Prize is an annual prize showcasing the work of queer writers, it is the only one of it’s kind is the UK. There are three awards: the Polari First Book Prize, which is exclusively open to debut writers from the UK and Ireland, the Polari Prize for Best Book, and the Polari Children’s & YA Book Prize. The Polari Prize has been much …
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