John Boyne and the bitter truth about the Polari Prize

The news that the Polari Prize for LGBTQ+ writing is not to be awarded this year after outrage that the novelist John Boyne was included on the longlist represents one of the more head-scratching reversals that the world of books has seen in a considerable time. Boyne’s novel Earth was selected on merit, but the Irish author, who proudly describes himself as a ‘Terf’ and has dared to be photographed with JK Rowling, the nemesis of the trans movement, was swiftly pilloried as soon as the longlist was announced on 1 August.

Judges resigned in disgust and other longlisted writers called Boyne’s views ‘disgusting’

Judges resigned in disgust, other longlisted writers called Boyne’s views ‘disgusting’ and ‘abhorrent’ and an open letter, signed by 800 people, was circulated condemning both th