Hundreds of authors called for John Boyne’s novel to be dropped and fellow contenders withdrew in protest

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

Hundreds of authors called for John Boyne’s novel to be dropped and fellow contenders withdrew in protest

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’