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’
A prize celebrating LGBTQ+ literature has cancelled its awards this year, after a row over the longlisting of an author who has described himself as a “Terf” – the acronym for trans-exclusionary radical feminist.
From a total longlist of 24, 16 authors and two judges withdrew from this year’s prize, and more than 800 writers and publishing industry workers signed a statement protesting against the inclusion of John Boyne, the author best known for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.
Polari said it had decided to “pause the prize this year” while it increases “representation of trans and gender non-conforming judges on the panels for all the awards” and undertakes “a governance and management review”, organisers wrote in a statement on Monday.
“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 apologise to everyone who has been affected”, it added.
