Numerous authors have pulled out from the Polari Book Prize longlist in a show of dissent over the inclusion of John Boyne.
The Polari Book Prize, an annual award celebrating LGBTQ+ writing in the UK, has found itself at the centre of a heated debate. The controversy stems from the inclusion of John Boyne's book Earth on the prize's longlist.
The decision has sparked widespread backlash, with at least half of the other longlisted authors and a number of judges withdrawing in protest. The withdrawal is a collective solidarity action, as stated by author Jason Okundaye.
The controversy surrounding Boyne's nomination is rooted in his public statements and past incidents perceived as anti-transgender by much of the LGBTQ+ community. In 2025, Boyne published an article in the Irish Independent wishing J.K. Rowling—a well-known figure accused of transphobia—a happy birthday and stating, “as a fellow Terf, I stand four-square behind her,” explicitly aligning himself with the TERF (trans-exclusionary radical feminist) label.
Boyne's inclusion on the Polari Prize longlist comes after the release of his 2019 book, which features a trans character. However, his defensive responses to critiques of the book intensified objections from the trans community, eventually leading him to leave Twitter. Boyne also sparked outrage by publicly criticising the Auschwitz Memorial Museum online, further damaging his reputation.
In response to the criticism, the Polari Prize organisers issued a statement on Instagram, defending the inclusion of Earth. The prize's organisers acknowledged the controversy and the pain caused by Boyne’s nomination, announcing a full review of their selection process and plans to engage with representatives from across the LGBTQ+ community for future awards.
Despite the backlash, the Polari Prize does not seem to be backing down from their decision to include John Boyne's book Earth in the Polari Prize. This decision puts authors in a difficult position, making them choose between career and community.
The Polari Prize is a major career milestone for any writer, and winning the award or being included as a nominee can significantly boost a writer's profile. However, in this case, the controversy surrounding Boyne's nomination has overshadowed the award, potentially tarnishing the reputation of the Polari Prize itself.
References:
[1] The Guardian [2] The Independent [3] The New York Times [5] The Bookseller
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