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But some authors are asking for their names to be withdrawn, after the inclusion of Boy in the Striped Pyjamas writer John Boyne on the Polari Prize 2025 longlist for his novella Earth .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

See Full Page