#Polariprize

The #PolariPrize is an LGBTQ+ prize and it is completely understandable why they would decline an author considered by some to be transphobic. The #JamesJoyceAward is nothing to do with TransRights and changing its mind about #JohnBoyne is ironic considering #JKRowling has one!

Controversy has become so intense the 2025 #PolariPrize has been cancelled. Why? buff.ly/jWCyRdg #bookawards #LGBTQ+ #writingcommunity #readingcommunity #authornews

Every time I think of the #PolariPrize my brain brings up sad/rabid puppies (re Hugo awards back in… 2014?ish).

This was an attempt by right wingers opposed to diversity to ‘game’ the Hugo’s, rather than them be determined by talent.

Feels like GC crowd were attempting something similar here.

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As a reminder, I post via @chrisd.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy and use this bsky mostly to reply. However, this one's important.

In memory of my late husband Emerson, who was a former Polari judge, and the debacle of this year's Polari Prize nominations:

chris.dreamwidth.org/39047.html

#PolariPrize

Polari book prize cancelled after row over gender-critical novelist Organisers of the award for LGBTQ+ writers have paused the prize this year, after controversy over the longlisting of John Boyne meant it was ‘overshadowed by hurt and anger’

#PolariPrize #cancelled after row over gender-critical novelist. Organisers of the award for LGBTQ+ writers have paused the prize this year, after controversy over the longlisting of John Boyne meant it was ‘overshadowed by hurt and anger’ www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a... 📚

5 days ago: "This is all I have to say, and all I will ever say, on the subject."

Today: Nearly 1200 words for the Daily Telegraph.

#polariprize

Polari Prize halts 2025 competition after John Boyne 'TERF' row Polari Prize has announced it plans to halt its 2025 competition after its decision to nominate John Boyne caused significant backlash.

This is about the only article on the story which doesn't go for a "Pity Me, I'm a Terf" angle that the Straights are pushing...

www.thepinknews.com/2025/08/18/polari-prize-...

#JohnBoyne #TERF #TransRightsAreHumanRights #PolariPrize #LGBTQIA

I was out by one business day.

What a totally avoidable, self-inflicted mess.

#PolariPrize

www.scenemag.co.uk/polari-prize...

Also John Boyne in his #PolariPrize statement.

• Let me just slip in a promo for my upcoming book because self promotion is completely appropriate to place in a statement discussing LGBTQ+ inclusive prizes that have been banjaxed by my transphobia

END

John Boyne statement analysis (cont)

• Everyone should return to the prize and ignore transphobia. Look away and just pretend that a fun awards ceremony is more important than anti LGBTQ+ persecution

• I've been upset by being criticised. How DARE you

#PolariPrize

4/

John Boyne's statement amounts to:

• I suffered, so should never face the concequences of my bigotry

•It's absurd to me that writers have taken a moral stand rather than chasing prizes and awards

•I will mention that I have awards and book sales to remind you how important I am

#PolariPrize

3/

• To the organisers: rightful criticism of transphobia in a LGBTQ+ prize should be deemed as bullying to circumvent criticism

• To the writers and judges who withdrew, I will patronise you. You don't agree with me so obviously don't know your own mind or understand the situation

#PolariPrize

2/

John Boyne's statement amounts to:

• I've had to deal with the concequences of my actions so am now being a crybully to claim victimhood

•All women are equal unless they're trans women then a hierarchy of rights should be applied. I'm a supporter of trans rights...no really I am

#PolariPrize

1/

The pausing of the #PolariPrize is the result of their actions. LGBTQ+ inclusive communities don't include those who support a hierarchy of women's rights. There's no tension between freedom of speech & inclusive communities. You can say what you like, nobody has to give you a stage to say it though

This year's Polari Prize for LGBTQ+ literature has been cancelled.

It follows an outcry over its longlist including an anti-transgender gay author.

John Boyne has previously described himself as a TERF, or trans-exclusionary radical feminist.

#polariprize #johnboyne

First read from the not-on-the-longlist-anymore reading list 🤓🏳️‍⚧️

#polariprize #callingmydeadnamehome

Why I withdrew my book from an LGBTQ+ literary prize | Jason Okundaye The Polari first book prize claims to promote trans rights and trans voices. But when I saw the longlist, I had to act, says Guardian writer Jason Okundaye

Thank you Jason Okundaye ❤️🏳️‍⚧️

It was not a difficult or painful decision – I felt misled about the principles underpinning the organisation and I no longer cared to be awarded by it.

#LGBTQIA #TransAlly #JasonOkundaye #PolariPrize #TERFisland

Sacha Coward @sachacoward.bsky.social In turn, all of us have been called ‘The Gender Taliban’ compared to the Nazis and the Stazi. Accused of censorship, bullying and trying to get another author to end his life. I have been accused of being a child abuser, called every homophobic slur you can imagine. We left a literary award. /7

The Transphobes are being awful to the Queer authors who have pulled out of the Polari Prize because of that bigot and his victimhood complex.
How many Trans kids will die while you're feeling sorry for yourself for being called out, like your mate Joanne […]

[Original post on mastodon.social]

Why I withdrew my book from an LGBTQ+ literary prize | Jason Okundaye The Polari first book prize claims to promote trans rights and trans voices. But when I saw the longlist, I had to act, says Guardian writer Jason Okundaye

#PolariPrize appears to have ... messed-up. 😭

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

That is not the time to publicly whine about how the consequences of your shitty opinions are making you suicidal. Talk to your therapist, & take a step back from social media if you need to. But don't act like you, as the high profile shitty person in this situation, are the victim.
#polariprize

John Boyne says LGBTQ+ fiction prize backlash brought him ‘close to the edge’ Gender-critical novelist urges writers to re-enter prize they boycotted and may ask judges not to shortlist his novella

Imagine how Trans Kids are feeling every day John....

#JohnBoyne #LGBTQIA #PolariPrize #TransRightsAreHumanRights

Trans lives: A bad week in the UK A Shutterbug of Stone

Blogged - Trans lives: A bad week in the UK
shutterbugofstone.blogspot.com/2025/08/tran...

#TransLIfe #Transgender #Marks&Spencer #EHRC #PolariPrize

Polari prize nominees and judges withdraw after inclusion of John Boyne over gender identity views 800 writers and publishing workers have signed a statement objecting to the LGBTQ+ book prize’s nomination of Boyne, who described himself as a ‘terf’

#PolariPrize nominees and judges withdraw after inclusion of John Boyne over gender identity views.
800 writers and publishing workers have signed a statement objecting to the LGBTQ+ book prize’s nomination of Boyne, who described himself as a ‘terf’ www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a... 📚

‘Left-wing authors are cancelling their own books. It’s f---ing wild’ Adam Szetela is a young author going to war on cancel culture as publishing faces new forms of censorship

‘Left-wing authors are cancelling their own books. It’s f---ing wild’ www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/700d372...

#polariprize

Polari prize nominees and judges withdraw after inclusion of John Boyne over gender identity views 800 writers and publishing workers have signed a statement objecting to the LGBTQ+ book prize’s nomination of Boyne, who described himself as a ‘terf’

#LGBTQIA #PolariPrize

www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...

#book #PolariPrize #sarcasm

How to make sure you win a book prize?

1. Be a transphobe
2. Write a book
3. some way - I can't even imagine what way 🤷‍♂️ - get your book nominated for an LGBTQ+ award
4. Everybody else withdraws their nomination
5. Congratulation, You won.🙄

The cover of the audiobook, Queer as Folklore, by Sacha Coward, read by Will Watt. The background is yellow with the text in a mix of red and black. Above the title it reads, "The Hidden Queer History of Myths and Monsters". In the center is a merman, the history of which we definitely learn more about inside the book.

Queer as Folklore, by @sachacoward.bsky.social, is exactly what I was hoping for when I first saw it! I have been meaning to look for more books about our real place in history. And this is precisely what I wanted! 🌈📖🏳️‍⚧️

Sacha withdrew the book from the #PolariPrize nomination, so go check it out! 💜

Original post on mastodon.social

You're having a guy on who exploits the Holocaust and whom the Auschwitz Museum has a problem with, and now he's picking on Trans People and siding with JK Rowling, who isn't adverse to a bit of Antisemitism to sell a story either […]

Polari prize nominees and judges withdraw after inclusion of John Boyne over gender identity views 800 writers and publishing workers have signed a statement objecting to the LGBTQ+ book prize’s nomination of Boyne, who described himself as a ‘terf’

TERFs aren't wanted, they are traitors to the LGBTQIA community

www.theguardian.com/books/2025/aug/11/polari...

#TransRightsAreHumanRights #JohnBoyne #LGBTQIA #PolariPrize