Authors and judges boycott Polari Prize over ‘TERF’ John Boyne

The Polari Prize 2025 has faced backlash, including some authors withdrawing and a judge resigning from the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ writing award, after self-described ‘TERF’ author John Boyne’s novel Earth was included.

The longlists for the Polari Prize 2025, the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ writing award, were released 6 August, comprised of two categories set to honour the works of queer authors, with one featuring just debut publications, and one all-encompassing.

In its 15th year of operation, the Polari Prize shortlists are to be confirmed in late September, before the winners are announced 27 November.

But some authors are asking for their names to be withdrawn, after the inclusion of Boy in the Striped Pyjamas writer John Boyne on the Polari Prize 2025 longlist for his novella Earth.

Boyne is a friend of Harry Potter author JK Rowling; in July this year, he wrote a tribute to Rowling in the Irish Independent, in which he described himself as a “fellow TERF” –a trans exclusionary radical feminist.

In the same tribute, Boyne describedsome “grownwomen”who publicly disagree with Rowling as people who are “astonishingly complicit in their own erasure.”

He likened this group to a female character from The Handmaid’s Tale who is“ready to pin a handmaiden down as her husband rapes her.”

Following his inclusion for Earth, a novella that follows the topic of sexual abuse from the perspective of a complicit observer, multiple authors have withdrawn or asked for their works to be removed.

These include Queer as Folklore author Sacha Coward, who posted a statement to X, saying he could not “continue in good faith” with an authorhe described aspromoting “exclusion and division” on the longlist.

Mae Diansangu, who was listed for debut novel Bloodsongs, Jason Okundaye (Revolutionary Acts: Love & Brotherhood in Black Gay Britain), SanahAshan (I Cannot Be Good Until You SayIt) and Amy Twigg (Spoilt Creatures) have similarly pulled their works from contention, too. All of them were nominated for First Book Prizes.

Olumide Popoola, Robert Hamberger and Rhian Elizabeth have withdrawn from the main Polari Prize, and trans author Nicola Dinan, the 2024 winner of the First Book Polari Prize, has resigned from the judges panel. Out in Perth reports that Bob Hughes has followed suit.

The Polari Prize has responded with a statement, emphasising that the award was “founded on the core principles of diversity and inclusion.”

Statement regarding The Polari Book Prize Longlist 2025 pic.twitter.com/VSkQfPWUMk

— Polari Prize (@PolariPrize) August 7, 2025

“We are committed to supporting trans right and amplifying trans voices, as demonstrated both in the history of the prize and the Polari salon, where trans and non-binary writers and performers have featured regularly as valued members of the LGBTQ+ writing community,” the lengthy statement continues.

“The role of the prize is to discover the best LGBTQ+ books written in the UK and Ireland each year. The books are read and deliberated over by the jury, and progress through the competition stages on the merits of craft and content.

“The Polari prize is awarded to books in a spirit of celebration of the work and the stories they tell. We have always cherished freedom of expression in our determination to find our voice both as writers and readers.

“It is inevitable given the challenges we face and the diversity of the lived experience we now represent under the LGBTQ+ Polari umbrella, that even within our community, we can at times hold radically different positions on substantive issues. This is one of those times.

“John Boyne’s novel Earth was included on The Polari Prize longlist on merit as judged by our jury, following the process and principles stated above. While we do not eliminate books based on the wider views of a writer, we regret the upset and hurt this has caused.

“Polari is committed to inclusion, not exclusion. The resignation of our valued judge and former First Book Prize-winner Nicola Dinan causes us great sadness. Nonetheless we completely understand and respect her decision.

“Books are one of our best means to explore the most difficult and divisive issues, and we encourage an open dialogue across our community. It remains deeply important to us that trans and non-binary readers and writers feel welcome, safe and supported by the Polari Prize and the Polari Salon and continue to participate in our movement as readers, writers and performers,” the statement said.

Boyne was previously criticised for his 2019 novel My Brother’s Name is Jessica, which told the story of a protagonist whose older sibling is transitioning.

The full Polari Prize longlists are available here, including authors who has since withdrawn.

Representatives for John Boyne did not provide comment on authors and judges withdrawing.

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