Annual LGBT literary prize is cancelled after trans backlash over gender-critical author's nomination

Daily Mail​

a day ago

Organisers have cancelled an annual LGBT literary prize after receiving backlash over the nomination of a gender-critical author.
John Boyne, 54, who is best known for writing The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, made the longlist for the Polari Prize this month for his book Earth.
However, his nomination prompted more than 10 out of the 24 authors who had made the longlist to ask to be removed from the running due to Mr Boyne's gender-critical beliefs.
They cited an article written by the openly gay Irish author in July in which he defended his friend and fellow famous writer JK Rowling and her stance on transgender issues and women's rights.
Over 800 writers, editors, publishers and booksellers signed a joint author statement objecting to Mr Boyne's nomination.
Amongst those who withdrew and signed the open letter was one of the prize's own judges, Nicola Dinan, who won the First Book award last year.
Author Jason Okundaye wrote an article in the Guardian describing Boyne's views as 'abhorrent', and said he withdrew his nomination because he felt 'misled about the principles underpinning the organisation'.
The organisers of the Polari Prize have since said it will not be awarded this year, but they hope it will return in 2026.
In a statement, organisers said: 'Polari is part of the LGBTQ+ writing and reading community and for fifteen years, trans, gender non- conforming and non-binary people have been part of that community - at our events, on our judging panels, on our long and short lists and among our prize winners.
'This commitment to inclusion remains unchanged. Polari is not and has never been a trans exclusionary organisation.
'These are not our values and we condemn all forms of transphobia.
'What was supposed to be a celebration of exceptional LGBTQ+ literature has been overshadowed by hurt and anger, which has been painful and distressing for all concerned and we apologize to everyone who has been affected.
'Many discussions have been undertaken over the last two weeks -with authors, judges, stakeholders, and funders about the impacts and ramifications of the longlisting of John Boyne's novel and how we can learn from this experience and move forwards.
'We have decided as a result to pause the prize this year while we increase representation of trans and gender non-conforming judges on the panels for all the awards and undertake a governance and management review to include our aims and values and work to better support everyone within our LGBTQ+ Polari community.
'We have already secured strong representation for next year, which we will build on.'
The Polari Prize was founded in 2011 and is open to writers born or based in the UK or Ireland who write about the experiences of LGBT life.
It began as a single annual prize for best first book, recognising debut works, but a second award was introduced in 2019 for overall book of the year.
Before the prize was scrapped, Mr Boyne responded to the backlash in a statement calling it 'bullying' and thanked the organisers and judges of the Polari Prize for 'standing strong in the face of extraordinary intimidation'.
He explained how he has been 'the focus of an extraordinary amount of bullying and intimidation' for the last six years since he published his book My Brother's Name is Jessica - a tale of a boy whose older brother identifies as a transgender woman.
Mr Boyne said the people peddling the vitriol toward him were not only trans activists, but also 'a small group of toxic novelists'.
He added: 'My views on trans rights have never changed and they're quite simple: All human beings should have the same rights, but if the rights of trans women come into conflict with the rights of what you call 'cis' women, then the latter must take precedence.
'There's 4 billion of them, after all, and it took them 2,000 years to achieve even a semblance of equality.
'That's pretty much my only thoughts on the subject.'
Addressing those who withdrew themselves from the longlist and set up the petition because of his nomination, Mr Boyne said: 'You may have meant well. You may have thought you were doing an honourable thing.
'But you forgot one crucial fact.
'That the novelist you're protesting, and the novel you tried to exclude, is part of a sequence about sexual abuse from a gay man who endured that very trauma at school, was denied justice because my abuser died in the months leading up to the trial, and is still coping with not getting my day in court.
'And how do I cope? By writing books like Earth.'
Earth - the latest instalment of his series The Elements which explores themes of guilt, blame, trauma, and redemption - follows fictional footballer and former male escort Evan Keogh who is on trial for his alleged involvement in a sexual assault alongside his teammate.
The story focuses on how Evan navigates the trial, reflecting on his life choices and the path that led him there.
In his statement, Mr Boyne acknowledged how literary prizes help author's careers by boosting their profile and opening them up to new opportunities.
He said it seems 'absurd and wrong' that many debut writers have lost this chance either through 'misguided ideas' about him or because they were 'bullied or intimated into withdrawing' - adding he is 'aware' this happened in 'some cases'.
The author went on to encourage those who had withdrawn to enter themselves again and, despite refusing to withdraw himself from the longlist, said he would encourage the judges not to consider Earth for the shortlist.
He added: 'I came very close to the edge this week because of endless harassment at the hands of both strangers and fellow writers.
'I remained silent throughout but there's been a few moments where I thought it would be easier not to go on. There's really only so much abuse one person can take.
'However, I'm still here. Because I have too many books in me that I still want to write. And so do all of you.'
Mr Boyne said he is 'very proud' of all of his books and the fact he has spent his 33-year career 'helping other writers, elevating them, and finding opportunities to promote them, rather than trying to tear them down'.
Ending his statement, he wrote: 'Online bullying has to stop.'
In his article for the Irish Independent, published on July 27, Mr Boyne offered his support to Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who has been outspoken in recent years with her views on trans rights and how they conflict with the protection of women's spaces.
The self-described trans-exclusionary radical feminist (TERF) said Rowling had been 'pilloried' for her stance.